Caravanserais of Shiraz

With a history of more than 2500, the ancient city of Shiraz houses many interesting historical sites among which mention can be made of its caravanserais.

These caravanserais were usually built in a rectangular shape with a large gate, and their middle courtyard was surrounded by rooms of the same shape. Many of these caravanserais had mini-towers that were used to watch the connecting route and light fires to help guide on the way caravans.

Some of the most important caravanserais of Shiraz are:

Bid-e Zard (Yellow Willow) Caravanserai

This caravanserai is located 25 kilometers west of Shiraz, on the way to Firouzabad, and near the village of the same name (Bid-e Zard). Stone and plaster are the main construction materials of this building. Carved stones have been used for decorating the exterior of the caravanserai, which was built in a square shape and on two floors during the Qajar era (19th century). Passengers could reach the upper floor and the roof of the building by using the staircase on the right side of the entrance.

Apart from the rooms that were built for accommodating passengers, there are also three large rooms in this caravanserai that were used as warehouses for goods. Two empty frames can be seen on both sides of the entrance, in which the inscriptions of the building were installed, but today there are no traces of these inscriptions.

Bajgah Caravanserai

Located on the way from Shiraz to Isfahan, this caravanserai, which is about 18 kilometers from Shiraz, was generally a resting place for travelers from Isfahan. Although the entrance and vestibule of the caravanserai have been destroyed over time, parts of the original building, including rooms, entrance doors, a central porch with a domed roof, brick niches, columns, and chambers are still standing. This caravanserai was also built during the Qajar era.

Khan Zanian Caravanserai

Being the biggest caravanserai in Shiraz, this site, which is 40 km away from the city, was built in the Qajar era. The existence of such a large caravanserai in the city of Shiraz indicates the prosperity of business in it and the passage of many caravans through this city. The large wooden door of the caravanserai opens to a wide courtyard surrounded by rooms and chambers that accommodated caravans. Despite the fact that the caravanserai has had many rooms, the number of staircases to the roof shows that the roof was also probably used as a resting place by some travelers.

Divdan Caravanserai

The dome-shaped roofs of this caravanserai have distinguished it from similar buildings. Divdan is located 100 km southeast of Shiraz and on the way to Kerman. This caravanserai is also square-shaped and has had two floors, the upper floor of which is almost completely destroyed.

Abgarm Caravanserai of Cavar County

Built during the Safavid era (16th century), this caravanserai, which is located near a village called Kavar, is the oldest in the Fars province. Although most of this caravanserai has disappeared, some remains of it are still standing.

It seems that this caravanserai was one of the caravanserais that the Safavid king Shah Abbas I (reigned from 966 to 1007 AD) had established to ensure the safety of the routes and to promote trade.