Taj Abad Caravanserai

Taj Abad Caravanserai (کاروانسرای تاج آباد), also known as Shah Abbasi Caravanserai, is one of the rarest circular caravanserais of Iran and is located in the village of Taj Abad in western Hamedan province. This structure is located in the central part of the village, near the Hamedan-Kermanshah road and on the way of pilgrims to the Iraqi city of Karbala. Its chambers were used for both residence and commerce. This caravanserai is actually a circular Rabat – a type of caravanserai used by people to house their livestock. Most of the Iranian caravanserais have a rectangular plan and Taj Abad Caravanserai is only one of three with a round floorplan (Zaineddin and Zizeh being the other two). The Caravanserai was built during the Safavid era and renovated by Zobeideh Khatoon, Fath Ali Shah’s daughter, during the Qajar era.

Caravanserais have played a significant role throughout the history of Iran. The tradition of building caravanserais was customary in Iran before and after Islam. Iran’s earliest caravanserais were built during the Achaemenid era (550 -330 BC). Centuries later, when Shah Abbas I assumed power from 1588 – to 1629, he ordered the construction of network caravanserais across the country. Such roadside inns were originally built in various epochs along ancient caravan routes in the Muslim world to shelter people, their goods, and animals. The former Silk Roads may be the most famous example dotted by caravanserais.

The eastern flank has two decorative and modern facades, with two wooden doors comprising the main entrance. 

Entering a vestibule, on each side is a chamber that was probably used for guards or the inn keeper’s residence. This is the entrance to the stables and lower chambers. 

There are 26 chambers in total, each of them containing shelves. 

Behind the western side is a hallway with domed roofs that connects the chambers. At the peak of each dome is an opening which provides light to the hallway. 

The courtyard is covered with stones and hosts a water well and pool in its center. The pool is surrounded by 4 curved flower beds. The courtyard has a diameter of 31 meters while the complete structure’s diameter is 55 meters. The main materials used in the construction of Taj Abad Caravanserai are red brick and mortar and it contains pointed arches.

The caravanserai was registered in 1997 in the list of Iran’s national heritage with registration No. 1872. In 2021 experts were slated to evaluate the caravanserai and its premises for possible inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Rehabilitation work began on the historical caravanserai to make it ready for the inspection. It involved repairing the damaged parts such as walls, wooden doors, and flooring as well as strengthening the historical inn. It was subsequently added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List (along with 53 Iranian roadside inns) in 2023.