Lower Caravanserai: Echoes of the Silk Road

The Lower Caravanserai, also known as Ashaghy Caravanserai, stands as a testament to Sheki's pivotal role on the historic Silk Road. Constructed in the 17th-18th centuries, this impressive structure provided a haven for merchants, travelers, and their caravans traversing between East and West. The caravanserai's architecture reflects a blend of Azerbaijani, Persian, and Ottoman influences, showcasing the region's cultural fusion. The complex features a large inner courtyard, around which numerous rooms and chambers are arranged. These rooms served as lodging for merchants and travelers, storage for goods, and stables for animals. The design emphasized security, with imposing walls and fortified gates. When the gates were closed, the caravanserai turned into an inaccessible fortress.With a total area of 8,000 square meters, the Lower Caravanserai has 242 rooms. Historically, the caravanserai included merchant shops and storage rooms, while the first floor was for guests. Each room had a hole connected to the ground floor with a stepladder, allowing merchants to monitor their goods. Since 1988, the Lower Caravanserai has been used as a hotel complex for tourists, offering a restaurant with national cuisine. Restoration work was done in 2010 to restore the roof, gates, windows and doors.Located near other landmarks like the Sheki Khan's Palace, the Lower Caravanserai offers a comprehensive look into Sheki's cultural heritage.