Carvan Serai in Sheki; A Historical point in Causus Mountain

A Caravan Serai at Shaki, south of the Caucasus Mountains near Baku, which used as a housing for travelers in ancient times, now turned into a modern hotel by Azerbaijan government. The rapid development of trade in the Middle Ages increased the importance of caravanserais in the region of Azerbaijan. Generally, caravanserais had a large main gate and often had a fortified building structure. This was because the gate could be close during dangerous events, making the building unassailable. This caravanserai in Shaki was at an important point along the ancient Silk Road, where trade caravans from China passed through Central Asia and went to Europe. Azerbaijan was an important trade center for caravans traveling on the Silk Road, and this caravan serai  also had a great historical importance. 

The historical complex of “Caravan Sarai” in Shaki actually consists of two magnificent caravan sarais, traditionally named “Yakhari” and “Ishaghi” caravan sarai, which means “up” and “down” respectively in the local language of Azerbaijan. The construction of this caravanserai dates back to the 18th century AD.

The caravan serai on the ground floor is rectangular with a large inner courtyard. It also has a pool in the middle. The caravan serai has a total area of 8,000 square meters and has dimensions of 55 m × 85 m (180 ft × 279 ft). Four entrances lead to the courtyard from the four corners of the building. There are total of 242 rooms. In the olden days, the caravanserai had shops and rooms for the merchants to store their goods, but the first floor was for guests to whom rooms were rented. Each room had an opening connected to the ground floor by a ladder, making it easy for merchants to monitor the safety of their goods.

Since 1988, the lower floor of the caravanserai has been use as a hotel complex for tourists, city visitors and local residents. There is a restaurant serving national cuisine with a seating capacity of 100 guests. The hotel has luxury suites as per international standards. A part of it was reserved for women, a restaurant serving traditional Azerbaijani food and 242 international standard rooms and suites have been built in the same part. While tourists shop, in this bazaar you can find the rarest and rarest artefacts of Azeri culture.  

Many shops in this bazaar were built three hundred years ago and are still there today.  The top floor of the Caravan Sarai is more intriguing as the roaring river passes close to it. The front of the building, which overlooks the street, is 14 meters high. The upper part has about 300 rooms and storerooms. Unlike the lower floor of a caravan inn, the upper floor is not used as a hotel. It attracts tourists as a historical and architectural monument and local tourist attraction.