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All Iran Deir-e Gachin Caravanserai

Deir-e Gachin Caravanserai

One of the largest and oldest caravansaries in Persia.

Iran

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The caravanserai.   Mostafameraji/cc by-sa 4.0
Interior panorama from the southeast corner.   Mhdslmn/cc by-sa 4.0
The caravanserai at night.   Mostafameraji/cc by-sa 4.0
The gate of Deir-e Gachin.   Orijentolog/cc by-sa 3.0
Wall detail.   Orijentolog/cc by-sa 3.0
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About

The Iranian desert is peppered with long-abandoned caravansaries, sprawling inns centered around large rectangular courtyards where caravans of merchants would rest, trade, and stay the night before continuing their long journey along the Silk Road.

Located along the ancient trade route between Rey and Qom is one of the largest and oldest of the Persian caravansaries, Deir-e Gachin, often called the “mother of all Iranian caravansaries.”

Most reports date Deir-e Gachin back to the Sassanian dynasty, between 334 and 651 CE, when it was possibly built as a fortified fire temple. But much of what is seen today was built centuries later after the structure was restored during the Safavid dynasty in the 16th through 18th centuries when caravansaries flourished along the Silk Road.

Deir-e Gachin is laid out like many Persian caravansaries, forming a huge open courtyard in the shape of a perfect square. Surrounding the courtyard are dozens of guest rooms and camel stables for merchants to post up for the night. The caravanserai is unique, though, in that each corner was built to serve a different purpose: a mill in the northwest, a bathhouse and kitchen in the southwest, a private apartment in the northeast, and a mosque in the southeast. 

Today the Deir-e Gachin Caravanserai is situated in the middle of Kavir National Park, on the western edge of Iran’s Dasht-e Kavir, or “Great Salt Desert.” Visiting this remote landscape is a rare and memorable experience, as the pristine environment is protected from any human settlement. Spending the night under the desert stars, far from the light and noise of the city, you can imagine what life may have been like for the merchants that traversed the desert centuries ago. 

Related Tags

Silk Road Deserts Ancient History National Parks Architecture

Know Before You Go

On weekdays during summer there are various activities for visitors held at the Deir-e Gachin Caravanserai (spelled Deyr Gachin on Google Maps), such as horse and camel rides, live performances of traditional music, and observation of the Moon and stars at night. Reservations can be made on the (Persian-language) website.

You will need an off-road vehicle to visit Kavir National Park, or can book a guided tour in advance. It’s about 80 miles (130km) from Tehran. 

Community Contributors

Edited By

Meg

  • Meg

Published

September 27, 2018

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  • https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/420536/Mother-of-Iranian-caravanserais
  • http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/dayr-e-gacin
  • http://hipersia.com/en/news.cfm?id=567
Deir-e Gachin Caravanserai
Haram ta Haram Freeway
Iran
35.058267, 51.420227
Visit Website

Nearby Places

Fatemeh Maasoume Shrine

Qom, Iran

miles away

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Tehran, Iran

miles away

Ebrat Museum

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Iran

Iran

Middle East

Places 52
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Fatemeh Maasoume Shrine

Qom, Iran

miles away

Golestan Palace

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miles away

Ebrat Museum

Tehran, Iran

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Iran

Iran

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Places 52
Stories 17

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