Caravanserais, ancient Iranian roadside inns!

For hundreds of years Persians accommodated foreign and domestic merchants and pilgrims at elaborate hotels called caravanserai, which were built along roads and in cities, including those on the legendary Silk Road. 

Caravansary is a compound word combining “caravan” with “sara”. The first stand for a group of travelers and sara means the building. 

Caravanserais often had massive portals with elevated surrounding walls. Architectural styles of caravanserai reflect local styles and the construction materials available in each geographical locality.Guest rooms were constructed around the courtyard and the stables were located behind them with their doors in the corners of the yard. 

 The earliest caravanserais in the county were built in Achaemenid era (circa 550 -330 BC).