Shah Abbasi Caravanserai; Ancient Place in a Historical City

Shah Abbasi Caravanserai; Ancient Place in a Historical City

One of the valuable historical places in Nishapur city is Shah Abbasi Caravanserai. This place was built with command of Shah Abbas (king of Safavid). Keep on reading to have a look at this place.

Features and Architecture

This place is made of clay, plaster and bricks. It is consisted of 4 main and 24 small porches with chambers behind them. Largeness of this place is 4900 square meters with dimensions of 68×69. Shah Abbasi Caravanserai has a central yard with 24 chambers (as we referred, chambers are behind the small porches). Entrance of the caravanserai is in northern part that is a porch with octagonal shape. Behind the chambers, there are stables which were used to keep domestic animals and there are some stone-made benches in this room used for keeping the loads of passengers.

In front of the caravanserai, there was a cistern with two wind breaker. This place in Qajar era was a hospice and during Pahlavi government was changed to gendarmerie. After Islamic revolution, Constructing Jihad was rolling it until 1988. After that, refurbishing of the place was started by handing over to Cultural Heritage. If you check this place exactly, you will understand moat of it which is consisted of stables and chambers. Northern and southern porches of the caravanserai are higher than other porches stood in a same line. This shows the discipline of architecture in Shah Abbasi Caravanserai. There were also 4 towers which have been destroyed during the time.

Historical and Cultural collection

Eastern chambers of the caravanserai are devoted to museum and this museum is consisted of three main parts:

1. Archeology
2. Anthropology
3. Special parts

In Archeology part, there are some antiques like coins dating back before Islamic era until Timuriden empire and metallic and glassy bowls and vases. In Anthropology part, the lifestyle of people in past time is showed and in special parts, there are historical sculptures, Marquette of old Nishapur city, Cyrus’ human right statement, Tombstones and etc.

Western part of caravanserai is devoted to conference hall, art and hand crafts like carpet weaving, pottery, etching, carving and etc.

Location of Caravanserai

This place is located in central part of the city (Imam Khomeini street) across from Khayyam square.

How to get there?

You can take a taxi and you can get there by car. Buses are also available to reach Shah Abbasi Caravanserai.

 Address: Iran, Razavi Khorasan, Nishapur, Imam Khomeini Street, Across from Khayyam Square.