Zazadin Han

DISTRICT (IL)
42 KONYA

LOCATION
This han is located 27 km northeast of Konya on the Aksaray-Konya Road, at the turnoff for the village of Tömek. It can also be reached from the Konya-Ankara Road, outside the village of Kavacık.

[map]

OTHER NAMES
Sadettin, named after its patron, the vizier Saadettin Köpek.

DATE
1236-1237 (as per the inscription)

There are two inscriptions: one over the main portal door, which states that it was built in the time of Alaeddin Keykubad by the Emir Köpek, dating from 1236, and the second one over the courtyard door stating that the han's construction was started in 1235 by Alaeddin Keykubad and finished by his son Giyaseddin Keyhüsrev in 1237.

Building started in the last year of Alaeddin Keykubad's rule (1235-36) and was completed during the reign of his son, Gıyaseddin Keyhüsrev.

PATRON
Seljuk Emir Sâdeddin Köpek ben Mohammed, vizier of Alaeddin Keykubad.

Covered with open courtyard (COC)
Covered section is smaller than the courtyard
Covered section with a middle aisle with 2 aisles on each side
6 bays of vaults

The han faces west, and lies parallel to the road, with the door facing Konya.

The unusual features of this han include its broad courtyard and the location of the entrance portal, eccentrically placed on the southern side.

The relationship of the very long courtyard and the small hall give this han a somewhat disproportionate, long and low appearance. The extremely long courtyard widens on the northeastern side, forming an elongated rectangle. The spaces along its long sides are of unequal size. The han's northern part is the open courtyard used in the summer (17 X 54 m). The eastern part contains covered rooms, one with elaborate brick squiches.

Around the southern side of the courtyard is a sunken area for stabling animals, set apart by a retaining wall.

The building's small mosque is located in the upper storey above the entry gate portal. It is reached by a staircase of 11 steps. The mosque door, which no longer exists, was in the right corner of the entry wall, and opened to the courtyard with a window. The mosque is decorated very sparsely, and comprises a stone mihrab with a niche decoration of stalactites and other geometrical decorative elements.

Covered section:
The southern part of the han is a covered section (22 x 28m) which was used as the winter section. This is a very large an high space, and ressembles a cathedral nef.

The structure has 5 vaults and a dome in its covered area.
There are slit holes instead of windows in the covered section. The lantern dome of the covered section rests on squinches with stalactites.

The architect is possibly Emir Köpek, who was principally known as an architect in the court of Alaeddin Keykubad, and who built his palace at Lake Beyşehir, the Kubadabad.

The inner and outer doors are made of bi-colored marble stone courses in blue and white which give a decorative harmony. Above these doors are inscription plaques. Ropework and sawtooth designs are the principal decorative element.

There are numerous Byzantine reuse stones in the external façade. The use of spolia in this han is as extensive as the nearby han of Obruk. These two neighbors must have pillaged the stones from a very prominent nearby Christian church. Many of the stones are tombstones, often laid sideways.

DIMENSIONS
The total external area: 2,575m2
Area of hall: 620m2
Area of courtyard: 1625m2

STATE OF CONSERVATION, CURRENT USAGE
Today it is in a semi-ruined state. It stands empty and may be visited. Its impressive size, long and low profile, striking bicolor portal, intact inscription plaques and extensive spolia decoration make this an unforgettable han to visit.

It appears to rise from the surrounding plain much in the same way as does the Cathedral of Chartres. Indeed, one has the impression of being in a Gothic nave upon entering the majestic covered section.

Fluttering pigeon wings, the wind and the lowing of the nearby grazing cows lend the only noise to this peaceful and calm setting.

BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES

Altun, p. 200
Bektaş, p. 90-93
Bayrak, p. 458
Erdmann, p. 102-107, no. 28
Ertuğ, p. 79
Hillenbrand, fig. 6.48, p. 552
Rice, p. 205
Unsal, p. 49