Upper Caravanserai

Sheki, Azerbaijan

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The Upper Caravanserai in Sheki, Azerbaijan, is an impressive historical monument dating back to the 18th century, serving as a resting and trading place for merchants and travelers along the ancient Silk Road routes.

It features a fortress-like design with thick stone walls, high ceilings, and small windows that provided protection against harsh weather and potential invaders. The caravanserai contains around 300 rooms and storage spaces for goods, with a unique layout that allowed merchants to monitor their belongings from their rooms via holes connected by ladders to the ground floor.

Unlike the Lower Caravanserai, the Upper Caravanserai is not used as a hotel today but stands as a well-preserved architectural and cultural site attracting tourists. It occupies a trapezoidal floor plan covering about 6,000 square meters, positioned near the Gurjan River and overlooks the surrounding area, reflecting Sheki’s important role as a commercial hub in the region’s Silk Road history.