SAEDNEWS: About 80 km northeast of Qom, Deyr-e Gachin, known as the “Mother of Iranian Caravanserais,” sits along the historic Silk Roads within Kavir National Park.
According to SAEDNEWS, Honored for both its design and legacy, Deyr-e Gachin was among the 54 sites included in UNESCO’s 2023 recognition of “The Persian Caravanserai.”
These historic roadside complexes provided vital rest points for merchants, travelers, and pilgrims, supplying necessities like water, food, and protection. Though they often appear isolated today, their original locations were strategically selected based on access to water, natural terrain, and safety.
Passing through the main entrance of Deyr-e Gachin, visitors encounter a spacious central courtyard bordered by a ring of one-story rooms, alongside essential structures such as a mosque, a bathhouse, and a mill. Unique architectural features include a northeastern niche and a set of three-doored chambers opening outward, enhancing the site's visual and structural variety.
Historical evidence links Deyr-e Gachin to the Sassanid dynasty, with some records attributing its origins to Ardeshir I, who ruled between 211/2 and 224 CE. Across successive eras—namely the Seljuk, Safavid, and Qajar periods—the site experienced numerous renovations that helped sustain both its elegance and original purpose.
Covering an area of 12,000 square meters, the layout of the caravanserai loosely mirrors a vast Chahar-Taq, a traditional square brick chamber topped with a dome. The structure incorporates an array of elements, including four angular towers and two half-towers flanking the main gate. Within its walls, visitors find a 300-square-meter mosque, over 40 lodging rooms, a bathhouse, a stone mill, two vestibules, rooftop stairways, and wells that secured a reliable water source.
Beyond the main complex lie remnants of additional constructions such as a fire temple to the west, a brick kiln, a fortress, water reservoirs, and a burial ground. The outer perimeter is reinforced by a formidable wall—five meters high, a meter thick, and extending 80 meters—punctuated by defensive crenellations.
One of the standout features is the refined brickwork from the Sassanid period, some of which was later reused during Seljuk restorations, preserving a sense of historical continuity.
The term "caravanserai" is derived from “caravan” and “sara,” signifying a communal lodging for travelers. These establishments featured prominent portals supported by thick outer walls, with guest rooms surrounding a courtyard and stables tucked behind. Corner doorways often provided access across the space.
For generations, these roadside retreats served as essential waystations for merchants, pilgrims, and wanderers, offering basic necessities and a safe haven. Experiencing a night in one is like stepping into another era, capturing the rhythm of ancient travel.
The first caravanserais in Iran date back to the Achaemenid Empire (550–330 BC). Later, under the rule of Shah Abbas I (1588–1629), a nationwide network of these facilities was commissioned to strengthen commerce and connectivity. These inns became landmarks along trade arteries such as the famed Silk Road, accommodating both people and their beasts of burden on long journeys.
