Suluhan Explained

Suluhan is a historical caravanserai (han) in Ankara, Turkey. It is also called the Hasanpaşa Han.

Geography

Suluhan is at 39.9397°N 32.8583°W in the urban fabric of Ankara. It is about southeast of Ulus Square and situated in Hacıdoğan, a busy neighbourhood known for its small shops and grocery stores.[1]

History

Ottoman buildings usually have a vakfiye (inscription) of endowment. According to the vakfiye of Suluhan, the building was commissioned by Hasan Pasha, a regional beylerbey, and was constructed between 1508 and 1511.[2] According to other sources, it was commissioned by Mehmet Emin Bey, a Şeyhülislam, in 1685. The later date may be the reconstruction date. In 1929, the han was largely damaged as a result of fire. The remaining sections were used as a greengrocery marketplace.[3] However, in 1984, a reconstruction was carried out by the General Directorate of Foundations and the han now is mainly used for tourism and leisure, with cafés and souvenir shops.[4]

Technical details

The building material is mostly rubble stone and partially facade stone. The roof is covered with domestic tiles. The two-storey han has two yards. The yard in the north is square-shaped, while the yard in the south is rhombic. The total area is more than . There are 102 rooms (now shops) which face the two yards. In each room there is a window, a niche and a chimney.[2]

Köşk Mescit

Mescit means little mosque in Turkish. Köşk Mescit is in the middle of the northern yard and its gate faces north.[2]

References

  1. http://www.turistikyerlerimiz.com/Suluhan---Ankara-431.html Ankara tourism
  2. http://ankaratarihi.blogspot.com/2009/12/eski-hana-yeni-cehre-suluhan.html Ankara history
  3. http://ankararehberi.com/hanlar/311-sulu-han-.html Ankara guide
  4. http://blog.milliyet.com.tr/Eski_Han_a_yeni_cehre__Suluhan/Blog/?BlogNo=171373 Milliyet newspaper bog