Description of the attraction
In many Turkic languages, the word "caravanserai" means a rather large structure located in a city or on a road, which serves as a parking lot and shelter for travelers of Asia. As a rule, it was used by trade caravans. There is an open and closed caravanserai. The walls of the latter made it possible to repel an attack and even withstand a short siege. Most often, such a caravanserai was located along the caravan routes, although sometimes this type was found in cities. The base of the caravanserai has a square or rectangular shape. Typically, there is an open courtyard with a well in the center. Living rooms and warehouses for goods were located inside the building. It was obligatory to have a corral for pack animals. Caravanserais had one or two floors. In two-story versions, on the second floor there were rooms for guests, and under them were warehouses and pens for animals.
Often, caravanserais looked very luxurious, but did not have household utensils, which is why travelers had to carry bed, carpets and provisions for themselves and their animals with them. Usually there was only water brought from afar. In large cities, caravanserais were a full-fledged semblance of modern hotels. In addition to shelter, they provided additional services: food, a bathhouse, money exchange offices, etc.
In the resort town of Kusadasi there is an excellent Caravan Saray dating back to the sixteenth century. It was built by Sultan Mehmet Pasha. The structure had wide walls, stone stairs, high towers and iron gates. In his cozy courtyard, beautiful fountains gurgled and smelled pleasantly of spices. In those days, tired trade caravans, following the Great Silk Road from the Black Sea to Mediterranean cities, stopped there. Foreign merchants indulged in oriental pleasures here.
During the restoration of the Caravan Saray in the 60s of the last century, its pristine beauty was recreated. Now many tourists enjoy spending time here. They relax in the shade of the tropical vegetation of the patio, enjoy the murmur of the fountain rivulets and the gentle warble of birds. In Caravanserai, you can taste excellent Turkish cuisine, watch and listen to an entertainment program consisting of local music and folk dances. You may even want to join this whirlwind of dance and start dancing to the delightful rhythms of Anatolian, Thracian, Caucasian melodies. The highlight of the entertainment program is undoubtedly the exciting belly dance performed by beautiful Turkish dancers. A visit to the Caravanserai in Kusadasi gives tourists an unforgettable experience.
