Taşhan is a 19th-century cut stone structure located on Fevzi Çakmak Street in Sivas city center, serving as a brief stopover point with its lion-headed fountain in the courtyard and arcades.
Taşhan stands on Fevzi Çakmak Street in the center of Sivas. It is a two-story building with an open courtyard, constructed from cut stone in the second half of the 19th century. The entrances on the east, south, and north sides have round arches and iron doors. In the middle of the courtyard, there is an elliptical stone fountain; water flows from the mouths of double-headed lion figures, which is the most photographed detail of the inn.
On the ground floor, shops are lined up behind an arcade section formed by six large columns, and the upper floor is reached by stone stairs. The upper floor has the same layout: an arcaded gallery, followed by barrel-vaulted rooms. Today, the building is used as a business center; on the ground floor, there are shops selling handicrafts and local souvenirs, and on the upper floor, there are small cafes where you can have tea.
According to visitor comments, there are differing opinions about the inn. Some describe sitting by the fountain in the courtyard and drinking tea as one of the nice things to do in Sivas, noting that the stone craftsmanship stands out among concrete buildings. Others state that the clutter of shops and cafes inside spoils the historical atmosphere, and that the upper floor is no different from an ordinary coffeehouse. If you keep your expectations low and view it as a brief stop, it will be more enjoyable.
Related discoveries: Historical Places, Sivas historical places, Divriği Great Mosque and Hospital.
Guide's Note
When to Visit
Taşhan is a place that can be visited all year round, as the courtyard and shops are in an enclosed area. Since Sivas winters are quite cold, spring and autumn months are more comfortable for both exploring the city center and spending time in the courtyard. In the afternoon, the light hits the courtyard well, and the fountain and stone details appear clearer in photos.
How to Get There
Taşhan is located on Fevzi Çakmak Street in Sivas city center. Since it is within walking distance of other historical structures in the city center (Congress Building, Sivas Castle, Double Minaret Madrasah), a car is not necessary. It can be reached quickly by dolmuş or taxi from the intercity bus terminal to the center.
How Much Time to Allocate
The inn itself is not a large structure; exploring the courtyard and browsing a few shops on the ground floor will take 20-30 minutes. If you plan to have tea on the upper floor, you can extend the duration to 40-45 minutes. It is most logical to include it in a half-day city center tour along with other historical structures of Sivas.
Route Suggestion
Consider Taşhan as a stop on your Sivas city center tour. It can be visited as a break after the Congress Building and Atatürk Ethnography Museum, or while exploring Seljuk structures like the Double Minaret Madrasah and Gök Madrasah. Rather than being a standalone destination, it's a stop integrated into a city center walk.
What to Eat, What to Drink
Cafes inside the inn mostly offer tea and simple snacks. To taste Sivas's famous meatballs and other local delicacies, it would be better to go to the meatball restaurants in the center, as the establishments in the inn are more for short breaks.
Things to Pay Attention To
There is a common point in visitor comments: the clutter of shops and cafes inside the inn somewhat overshadows the historical atmosphere. If you view it as a brief stop and photo opportunity without expecting a grand historical experience, you won't be disappointed. The cafes on the upper floor are described by some visitors as having the atmosphere of an ordinary coffeehouse, so go with that in mind.
Photo Spots
The elliptical stone fountain in the middle of the courtyard and the double-headed lion figures are the most striking details. The arcade on the upper floor overlooking the courtyard is also a good spot for wide-angle photos. The stone texture becomes more prominent in the afternoon hours when the light enters the courtyard.
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