Mimari ve tarihi bağlamda Akhan Kervansarayı üzerine bir değerlendirme

Abstract

Akhan caravanserai was built in 1253-1254 during the Mongol Invasion of Anatolia. From the architectural perspective, Akhan has both a courtyard and shelter parts. According to the inscription on the portal of the shelter, the foundation date is 1253 (H. 651) but the inscription on the main portal gives 1254 (H. 652) as the foundation date. Difference in the dates of the foundation inscriptions illustrates two different building stages of Akhan. The shelter was built in 1253, whereas the courtyard part of Akhan was built in 1254. The names of Anatolian Seljuk Sultan Izzeddin Keykavus II and Governor Seyfeddin Karasungur are mentioned in both inscriptions. The building is accepted to be one of the most attractive caravanserais thanks to its architectural and ornamental characteristics. For these reasons, it also been considered that Akhan functioned as one of the “ Sultan Khan” type caravanserais, which known to provide accomodation services to the Seljuk Sultans. Moreover, the historical figures and events related to the construction era of the building, give some clues regarding the functions of the caravanserai. Particularly, historical records regarding Anatolian Seljuk Sultan Izzeddin Keykavus II, Governor Seyfeddin Karasungur and the lider of Denizli Turkmens Mehmet Bey, Malik Maurozomes and his family members confirms that Akhan caravanserai functioned as “ state office”. Furthermore, the architectural and ornamental features of Akhan in addition to complexity and functionality of the service spaces, especially for water related spaces (baths, fountains etc) also prove that Akhan operated as “state office”and “sultan khan”. This study aims to examine Akhan caravanserai, located in vicinity of Denizli, from the aspect of the space-function relations to assess architectural features with historical contextualization. It also aims to reveal more valid and consistent results based on the relationships between architectural plan features and historical background of Akhan.