Keyhüsrev Kervansarayı, Isparta'nın Eğirdir ilçesinde Eğirdir Gölü kıyısında yer alan, 1237'de II. Gıyaseddin Keyhüsrev tarafından yaptırılan Anadolu Selçuklu kervansaraylarının en büyüklerinden biridir.
Standing 3 kilometers from Egirdir center on the Konya-Antalya caravan route, this structure was built in 1237 by II. Giyaseddin Keyhusrev. It is considered one of the largest Anatolian Seljuk caravanserais, but the inn lost its function due to a fire only 64 years after its construction. The structure, consisting of two sections—a courtyard and an enclosed space—is in ruins today. The eastern wall of the courtyard has completely disappeared, and the stone cladding of the remaining walls has been removed.
The building's date had long been a subject of debate. During excavations at the caravanserai in 1993, a stone piece with geometric decoration was found that exactly matched a broken mihrab piece on the portal of the Dundarbey Madrasa. When it became clear that this portal was removed from the inn during the construction of the madrasa in 1301, the date of 1237 for the inn was confirmed. Today, it is possible to walk among the rubble stone remains at the lake shore while also observing the waterside view.
There is an important point to note during a visit: water seeping into the exposed stone masonry further erodes the walls. For this reason, the site does not look like a newly reconstructed museum, but rather appears as a ruin left to natural weathering. Photographically, the angles where the lake and ruins fit in the same frame are striking.
Guide's Note
History: From 1237 to Today
The inn was built in 1237 by II. Giyaseddin Keyhusrev. The structure, established at a strategic point on the Konya-Antalya caravan route, was a major accommodation and trade center of its time. A fire that broke out only 64 years after its construction rendered the inn inoperative. From that time on, the structure remained in ruins until today without any repairs.
For a long time, the exact year it was built was not clear. A stone piece with geometric decoration found during 1993 excavations matched exactly with a missing piece in the Dundarbey Madrasa's portal. When this portal was removed from the inn and transported during the construction of the madrasa in 1301, it confirmed the inn's date of 1237.
Best Time to Visit
Since the structure is an open-air, roofless ruin, it's wise to avoid midday hours during summer heat. Spring and autumn are more comfortable both for the lake's lighting and for walking comfort. In winter months, the region sometimes experiences cold winds, so it's good to bring a jacket.
Transportation
Going 3-3.5 km south from Egirdir center via D-330 highway brings you to the inn ruins on the lake shore. It takes only a few minutes by vehicle, and can also be reached on foot if weather permits. Public transportation options are limited. Taking a taxi or your own vehicle is the most practical option.
Photography Tips
The eastern direction, where the ruins' walls fit in the same frame as the lake, provides the best light angle. The texture of the rubble stone masonry offers interesting details in close-ups. It is possible to capture both the scale of the structure and the lake view with a wide-angle lens.
How to Include in an Egirdir Tour Route
After visiting Egirdir Castle, Dundarbey Madrasa, and Hizir Bey Mosque in Egirdir center, it makes sense to head south toward the end of the day and visit the caravanserai. Visiting with knowledge of the story of the stone piece in the Dundarbey Madrasa's portal makes the ruins more meaningful.
Things to Be Aware Of
The structure's walls become even thinner, especially during rainy periods. Seeping water erodes the rubble stone masonry. For this reason, photographing near or on the walls is not recommended both for personal safety and for the preservation of the structure. The uneven ground makes visiting uncomfortable with wheelchairs or baby strollers.
This content originates from neresigezilir.com.tr and may not be copied without permission.
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