Shah Abbasi Caravanserai of Abbasabad: A Safavid Roadside Inn
Site at a Glance
- Country
- Iran
- Primary era
- Early Modern
- Eras represented
- Early Modern
- Civilizations
- Safavid
- Site type
- Economic
- Remains
- Caravanserai
History
The Shah Abbasi Caravanserai of Abbasabad is a Safavid-period roadside complex in Abbasabad, Semnan Province, Iran. It was built at the request of Shah Abbas the Great, a Safavid ruler, and served as a caravanserai, a roadside complex offering lodging and services to travelers and caravans.
The building underwent major restoration during the Qajar period, under a successive Iranian dynasty. It was registered as an Iranian National Monument in 1987. In 2023, it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage property The Persian Caravanserai, which encompasses 54 caravanserais across 24 Iranian provinces and was inscribed under cultural criteria (ii) and (iii).
Remains
The caravanserai has a rectangular plan arranged around a central courtyard, with four iwans, or vaulted spaces open on one side. It covers about 8,500 square metres and is built of tile and plaster. Entrances occupy the east and west sides, with the main entrance on the east. The building stands at an elevation of 869 metres above sea level.
