Aksaray Sultan Han

Summary

• What: A two-part imperial Seljuk caravanserai (sultan hanı) with an open courtyard and an enclosed winter hall, constructed in 1229 by Sultan I. Alâeddin Keykubad [1].
• Where: Located 42 km west of Aksaray on the Konya-Kayseri Silk Road axis, within the town of Sultanhanı [1, 2].
• Why significant: Spanning 4,680 m², its fortress-like bastion walls, freestanding elevated kiosk mosque (köşk mescit), and two-colored marble portal reflecting Syrian-Zengid stonework make it the supreme masterpiece of Seljuk caravanserai architecture [1].

Sultan Han, situated 42 km from Aksaray on the Konya-Kayseri caravan route, represents the most opulent example of Seljuk caravanserai architecture in Anatolia [1, 2]. According to historical records, it was commissioned by Sultan I. Alâeddin Keykubad of the Seljuk Empire in 626 (1229) [1]. The architect, Şamlı Muhammed b. Havlân, also designed Konya’s Alâeddin Mosque [1].

As a major stop for caravans, the caravanserai suffered fire damage during Sultan III. Gıyâseddin Keyhusrev’s reign and was repaired by its waqf administrator Sirâcüddin Ahmed in 667 (1268-69) [1]. Used as a military outpost, it witnessed sieges and battles, with its portal inscriptions burned during destruction [1]. In the last century, the structure became a stone quarry for nearby villages but was partially restored by the General Directorate of Foundations between 1959-1968 and designated as a protected site; today it functions as a museum [1].

Architectural Plan and Defensive Arrangement

Sultan Han occupies a 4680 m² area on flat terrain, presenting a fortress-like appearance [1]. Massive exterior walls constructed with cut stone are reinforced by towers and crowned with a row of muqarnas corbeling; however, none of the original towers survive [1].

The caravanserai follows a two-part plan [1]:

1. A 50 × 62 m open courtyard section with recessed porticos [1].
2. A 50 × 33 m enclosed winter hall [1].

Eastern Portal and Stone Ornamentation

A monumental marble corbelled portal adorns the eastern façade of the structure [1]. Projecting outward from the façade, this portal features a deep recessed muqarnas corbel with geometric ornamentation [1].

The plastic zigzag motif columns here do not support the architrave [1]. Outside the palmette floral band, the decoration is geometric in nature [1]. The wide frieze contains multi-pointed star systems and intersecting motifs; rosettes are scattered within the enclosing architrave [1]. At the apex of the muqarnas cell, the inscription “el-minnetü lillâh” (gratitude to God) is carved in a visible manner [1].

Two niches flank the entrance portal [1]. The geometric decoration with two-colored intersecting motifs, zigzag fluting columns, and muqarnas corbels evokes the portals of Konya’s Alâeddin Mosque and Karatay Madrasa, reflecting Zengî artistic style [1]. Above the portal and niches are Seljuk script inscriptions detailing construction, a single-line repair inscription beneath two-colored atkı stones, and medallion inscriptions for the master builders; the upper section of the portal has collapsed [1].

Open Courtyard and Kiosk Mosque

Access to the courtyard is via an arcade corridor from the monumental portal [1]. Eleven rooms occupy the eastern side of the courtyard, while the western side features two rows of equal-numbered porticos [1].

Two of these rooms have been converted into three-part hamams and storage spaces [1]. The door frames of the rooms are adorned with geometric motifs on their vaulted ceilings; all spaces are covered by basket vaults [1]. Six rooms not adjacent to external towers are illuminated through slit windows (mazgal) [1].

A kiosk mosque rises on four arched piers at the center of the courtyard [1]. Accessible via a double-flight stone staircase from the north and featuring an underlying fountain, its arches and wall façades are adorned with rich geometric patterns [1].

Enclosed Winter Hall and Lighted Dome

Access to the winter hall is through a second monumental portal [1]. This portal shares the same architectural and ornamental features as the exterior one, though its upper section has collapsed [1]. The architrave here contains palmette motifs, while the wide frieze is filled with star-shaped rosettes [1]. The inscription detailing construction is repeated on the recessed arch above the side niches [1].

The winter hall is planned as a five-nave longitudinal hall [1]. The central nave, aligned with the portal, is intersected by transverse bays supported by thirty-two (32) stone piers (pâye) arranged in four rows and covered with pointed barrel vaults [1].

A central lantern dome, transitioned via muqarnas squinches (tromplar), crowns the central bay [1]. The dome is externally elevated on an octagonal stone drum (kasnak) [1]. Slit windows illuminate the eastern naves [1]. Elevated stone platforms (sekiler) flanking the nave walls accommodated travelers above the stable floor [1].

Water Supply System and Waqf Significance

Lead pipes supplied water to meet the caravanserai’s needs from Bağluca village [1]. In addition to fountains, five pairs of water channels are placed in the open courtyard section, while four rows of water channels occupy the hall section [1].

Sultan Han is not only a waqf endowment that served for centuries on a strategically important caravan route but also exemplifies the most opulent Seljuk caravanserai with its fortified architecture and vibrant Zengî-style ornamentation featuring a kiosk mosque [1].

Frequently Asked Questions

• When was Aksaray Sultan Han constructed, and by whom?
  Commissioned by Sultan I. Alâeddin Keykubad of the Seljuk Empire in 1229 (626) [1].
• Who was the architect of the caravanserai?
  Şamlı Muhammed b. Havlân, who also designed Konya’s Alâeddin Mosque [1].
• When was the caravanserai repaired?
  After a fire during Sultan III. Gıyâseddin Keyhusrev’s reign, it was restored by its waqf administrator Sirâcüddin Ahmed in 1268–69 (667) [1].
• What are the architectural features of the kiosk mosque in the courtyard?
  It rises on four pillars with pointed arches; access is via a two-sided staircase from the north, and it contains an underlying fountain [1].
• What is the layout of the winter hall section?
  Planned as a three-nave corridor covered by pointed-arch basket vaults supported by thirty-two (32) pâyel columns arranged in four rows, with a lighted dome featuring muqarnas tromplar at its center [1].

References

• [1] SULTAN HANI - TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi (Prof. Dr. Abdüsselam Uluçam, Vol. 37, pp. 503–504), https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/sultan-hani—aksaray
• [2] AKSARAY - TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi (Prof. Dr. Besim Darkot, Prof. Dr. Faruk Sümer, Vol. 2, pp. 293–296), https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/aksaray