| Caravansaries in
Khorasan Road, Iran
|
Mian-dasht
Caravansary
Mian-dasht village is located 110 Km east of Shahroud, on
the road to Sabzevar and Meshed. In fact, there are 3
caravansaries in the village. One is erected at Shah Abbas
the Great and the other 2 were built in Qajar period. All
3 caravansaries are attached, forming, in effect, a
complex unit. The Safavid Caravansary is small, 50x50 Sq.
m.
This Caravansary is similar to Qousheh Caravansary, which
appears oblong from outside, but is actually octagonal
from inside.
Each of the four sides of the open courtyard contain 3
chambers, 3.20x3.90 m. There are also 2 chambers on the
east and 2 on the west side of the courtyard, which
altogether make a total of 16 chambers. On each side of
the vestibule, there are 2 rectangular chambers, 2.30x5.60
m.
The structure is made of brick, and as is the case with
several other caravansaries in this region, was repaired
in Qajar era. Mian-dasht Caravansary is repaired in
Islamic Republic, too.
The two other caravansaries in the complex are built on
the same plan, but are larger, and the Shah Abbas
Caravansary undoubtedly appears to be the nucleus of the
unit.
There are 3 cisterns in the vicinity of the caravansaries
and it houses 2000 travelers.
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