Caravanserai
Caravanserai was a road lodge to accommodate travelers to rest after several days’ journey. Also it helped the merchants to trade and supported the flow of commerce, information and people along the route. Caravanserai is one of the highlights of ancient Persia and Iran adventure destinations. Caravanserai was a common feature along the Achaemenes Empire’s Royal Road about 2500 km long stretched from Sardis to Susa and also along the Silk Road.
In term of etymology, the Persian word of Caravanserai is
the compound of Karavan; means Caravan or a group of travelers and Sara; means an enclosed place or building. The Caravanserais were positioned about a day’s journey from each other avoiding of exposing to dangers in nights and keep travelers, merchants and their cargos safe.
History of Caravanserai
It is not clear when the first caravanserai was built but it dates back to Achaemenid Empire between 550-330 BC. There are lots of road inn all across Iran under the name of Persian Caravanserai from ancient time which the most popular ones are: Shahabbassi in Alborz province, Khaje Nazar in east Azarbayejan, Fathalishahi in Tehran, Lab Khandagh & Moshir in Yazd, Shahabbassi in Bisotun Kermanshah, Saad Al Saltaneh in Qazvin.