 he caravanserais
At the begining, caravanserais were built as inn for travellers, their merchandises
and their animals (Camels). They were located on the Silk Road, on the way of the caravans.
Often built as protection against thieves, pirates and bad weather. They served to make
reparations too.
We think the origins of caravanserais are persian, from karwan-seray, in the IXth
century AC. Their evolution were linked to economy and religion. In Iran, their
development is associated to the reign of king "Abbas 1rst" (1588-1629), the golden age of
the caravanserais. But, the discovery of new roads by the south, and the sea by Portuguese
start ending the use of them. But caravanserais have been built during ten centuries
until the XIXth century, overall in Central Asia.
Today, there are still many thousands, overall in ruin. But some are still prosperous.
Some became hotels, other workshops.
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