The Kervansaray as new Building Type

The Kervansaray or Han

       In this my first post to Ottoman Building Types I will present one of the specific civil building types, the Kervansaray or Han as it is called also. Originally built by the Persians and the Seljuks for giving shelter to pilgrims on their way to Mecca, these buildings could be found at a distance of thirty to fourty kilometres, the distance a traveller could make a day in those times. The Ottomans followed this tradition by building numerous hans throughout the huge Empire, mainly for lodging the traders with their animals and goods. It used to be a most secure fortress-like edifice with a single big entrance giving way to a spacious court with a fountain. There the travellers gathered for conversation or for trading their wares. A sober exterior, often without any or only scarce windows underlines the han's purpose of protecting traders and their valuable goods.

        Kursunli Han in Skopje dates from the first half of the16th century and is one of the three trading inns preserved in the capital. This han represents one of the highest achievements of civil Ottoman architecture from the Classic period that captivates with its aesthetics, functionality and monumentality. At the time of construction it formed part of a complex of buildings, that included a now vanished mosque and a hamam whose remains can still be observed. Differing from the usual one-court han this trading inn features the unique structural feature of a second adjoining court with a separate entrance for servants and animals while the main court was reserved for up to a hundred travellers with their goods. The massive main entrance covered with a dome-like roof leads to the large courtyard, surrounded on all four sides and on two levels by arches over the galleries that lead to the guest rooms. Each of these rooms behind the galleries shows a cross-vaulted ceiling and is equipped with a chimney, a real luxury for that time. Next to the portal two original symmetric stone staircases with stone railing lead to the upper floor. The whole building is made of the classic mixture of stone and brick arranged in decorative layers, a technique already used by the Byzantines. Another outstanding feature of this monument is its roofing: small domical vaults are lined up along the entire building  contributing to the harmony of the monument. In the past this extraordinary roof was covered not with brick tiles as nowadays, but with lead. Hence the name of this monument. After the post-earthquake restoration Kursunli Han houses a permanent collection of sculptures from Antiquity to the Islamic period.

If you want to know more about Ottoman Heritage in Macedonia my illustrated book is now available:
Teresa Waltenberger, Architecture in Macedonia: The Ottoman Heritage, Skopje 2014

Ottoman Building Types as seen in Macedonia

Ottoman Building Types as seen in Macedonia

       Kervansarays, Hamams, Bedestens,....are just some of the new types of buildings   emerging in the territory of Macedonia, right after its conquest in 1392.  The urbanistic character of Skopje changed profoundly when taken over by the Ottomans due to their religion, the Islam, as well as their habits in daily life. Immigration of Turkoman people and conversion to Islam of a part of the local population brought about a profound change in the social composition of the population. New types of buildings were needed to satisfy the requirements of this new society. Religious buildings as mosques, turbes and tekkes as well as civil architecture as kervansarays, hamams, bazaars, medreses, imarets, clock towers, bridges and aqueducts converted the towns in characteristic Ottoman centres. Particularly Skopje and Bitola  still reflect this character with   numerous Ottoman monuments in spite of a racing construction activity, especially in Skopje. Following the example of the Sultan in his capital, the local rulers and other high officials made important endowments of one or several monuments. Today, the names of a number of buildings, particularly mosques, still remind of these historic personalities. 

      Although the present Republic of Macedonia is best known for its Roman excavations and still more for its Byzantine churches with their interesting frescos, my attention was drawn particularly to the much less known Ottoman heritage with its own style. As an "Eastern" phenomen in Europe deriving from a long lasting cultural influence it deserves our attention and admiration.  
      The last two years while living in this country I had the opportunity to visit and study all what is left of Ottoman architecture in Macedonia (which is a lot compared with other Balkan countries).

       It is precisely this patrimony, so different from the West European culture, which I want to share with the reader. As the subject is too wide for this site I decided on the presentation of the new building types implanted in the conquered area. Each subsequent article will describe one of these types, be it the mosque, the han or the hamam, accompanied by one selected monument from the wide choice of examples within the national geography. 

      Would I recommend Macedonia as a travel destination? Absolutely! Particularly spring and summer are great seasons to explore beautiful landscapes, but also to get familiar with its cultural heritage, included Ottoman Architecture, and all that at more than affordable prices and possibly as the only tourist at the site, a real luxury at present times.

      For readers who want to enlarge their knowledge on this subject I point out my ilustrated book which has been published recently by Logos A, Skopje:

Teresa Waltenberger, Architecture in Macedonia: The Ottoman Heritage, Skopje 2014