Yenice Han

The Seljuk Han of Anatolia

YENICEKOY HAN

Karpuz Anadolu Selçuklu Eserleri (2008) v.2, p. 148

DISTRICT
43 KUTAHYA

LOCATION

39.276020, 30.086037

The Yenice Han is located on the Afyon-Kutahya road, 23 km outside of Kutahya in the village of Yenice. It is in ruins; only the entry and walls remain.

DATE

The exact construction date is unknown, but researchers believe it could have been built as early as 1194.

BUILDING TYPE

Covered section with an open courtyard (COC)

DESCRIPTION

The covered section of the han has a square plan and its walls were made with stones with rubble infill. The section of the han used as the mosque contains a very simple mihrab. Traces of the cells can be seen around the courtyard.

The Ottoman Sultan Selim I stayed here for one night on his return from his victorious battle of Chaldiran against the Safavids in August, 1514. The 17th century Ottoman traveler Evliya Celebi also stayed here on several occasions. The han continued in service throughout the Ottoman period and up until the 1960's. Not much is known about this han.

STATE OF CONSERVATION, CURRENT USE
The han is in ruins and most of its sections are buried under earth. The han has been looted by scavengers, and it is believed that the inscription plaque was stolen.

BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES

Kalyon, M. Kütahya'da Selçuklu-Germiyan ve Osmanli Eserleri. Kütahya Belediyesi Kültür, 2000.

Karpuz, H. & Kuş, A. & Dıvarcı, I. & Şimşek, F. Anadolu Selçuklu Eserleri, 2008, v.2, p. 148.

Özergin, M. Kemal. “Anadolu’da Selçuklu Kervansarayları”, Tarih Dergisi, XV/20, 1965, pp. 164, n. 124.