Sarapsa Han
Coordinates: 36 ° 35 ′ 17.5 ″ N , 31 ° 52 ′ 16 ″ E
The Şarapsa Han , also Serapsu or Sarafsa Han , is a caravanserai (Turkish Han ) on the south coast of Turkey . The building was around the year 1237/8 on behalf of the Seljuk - Sultan Ghiyath ad-Din Kai-Chusrau II. Erected.
location
The east-west oriented Şarapsa Han is located a few meters north of the coastal road from Alanya to Antalya near the small town of Konakli at a height of only 7 m . The entrance is - like the one to the mosque - on the north side of the building.
function
The Han served as a rest stop for caravans on their way from Alanya to Konya . In view of the narrow and elongated construction - in contrast to Alara Han , which is about 26 km (distance) - it can be assumed that the pack animals (horses, mules, donkeys) should not enter the construction; they and some of the guards were probably camped out in the open air, while the unloaded goods and caravan drivers were housed inside the building. A small separate room served as a prayer room.
architecture
Han
The elongated building measures approximately 12 × 70 m on the outside; it therefore covers a floor area of only 840 m². The stones used for construction are precisely carved; the eaves are enclosed by a crenellated wreath . The long sides are stabilized by tower-like projections, which could also serve defensive purposes. The interior is spanned by an approximately 9 m wide barrel vault; There are small window slits in the south wall.
mosque
A small mosque forms the eastern end of the entire structure , the elevated portal of which is elevated by a three-pass arch. The mihrab niche inside faces south.
Tower ruin
In front of the west side of the Han are the ruins of a former probably two-storey building or a tower, the purpose of which is not known exactly.
