Caravanserais: Shelters of the Ancient Trade Routes
Long before modern hotels and motorways, weary travellers crossing the vast landscapes of the Middle East and Central Asia relied on caravanserais. These were sturdy roadside inns built along ancient trade routes, offering accommodation, protection and shelter for merchants, their animals and precious goods. Caravanserais were especially important along the legendary Silk Road — the […]
The greatness of Ottoman architecture
Architectural monuments to the greatness of the Ottoman Empire stand, not only throughout Turkey but also throughout the many lands under its rule. The Ottomans were prolific builders and some of their finest works are public buildings such as mosques (cami) and their surrounding külliye (complex) consisting of buildings providing for the welfare of the […]