Gogad Caravansary & the town of Mahallat

[kombizz]

This is a small section of huge place of Gogad Caravansary located in Mahallat in the province of Esfehun Nesfe Jahan.

I took this image from one of the towers looking over the town.

A 'caravan' in Persian means a group of travelers or merchants banded together and organized for mutual assistance and defense while traveling through unsettled or hostile country. Caravan trade is associated with the history of Iran and the Middle East.

It is evident that all trade from one fertile area to another in this region had to be organized from the first, since long distances of desert trail separated settled parts and since local governments could not guarantee protection against tribes eager to loot and pillage. Such wares as jewels, spices, perfumes, dyes, metals, rare woods, ivory, oils, and textiles (chiefly silk) are associated with the trade. Camels were the main catties from Egypt and Iran to Mesopotamia and throughout the Arabian Peninsula. When you inquire the age of a caravansary in modern Iran, you are generally told that it dates from the time of Shah Abbas. This is a deceptive generalization and a term applied indiscriminately to all caravansaries built between the late 16th- 19th centuries AD.

At present this beautiful historical place is rented to a private Iranian car company. The car company manage this place by converting it to a hotel.

[Ian]

Re: Gogad Caravansary & the town of Mahallat

This is a small section of huge place of Gogad Caravansary located in Mahallat in the province of Esfehun Nesfe Jahan.

I took this image from one of the towers looking over the town.

A 'caravan' in Persian means a group of travelers or merchants banded together and organized for mutual assistance and defense while traveling through unsettled or hostile country. Caravan trade is associated with the history of Iran and the Middle East.

It is evident that all trade from one fertile area to another in this region had to be organized from the first, since long distances of desert trail separated settled parts and since local governments could not guarantee protection against tribes eager to loot and pillage. Such wares as jewels, spices, perfumes, dyes, metals, rare woods, ivory, oils, and textiles (chiefly silk) are associated with the trade. Camels were the main catties from Egypt and Iran to Mesopotamia and throughout the Arabian Peninsula. When you inquire the age of a caravansary in modern Iran, you are generally told that it dates from the time of Shah Abbas. This is a deceptive generalization and a term applied indiscriminately to all caravansaries built between the late 16th- 19th centuries AD.

At present this beautiful historical place is rented to a private Iranian car company. The car company manage this place by converting it to a hotel.

Looks interesting - I love to enjoy the local architecture and cultural influences to local designs and art. What are thoose metal strips forming triangles sticking out at the top of the wall?

Ian

[kombizz]

Re: Gogad Caravansary & the town of Mahallat

Looks interesting - I love to enjoy the local architecture and cultural influences to local designs and art. What are thoose metal strips forming triangles sticking out at the top of the wall?

Ian

Tell the truth I do not know.
By the way those strips are not metal bars, they are made of wood.

If you are interested in learning, then tell me what are the purposes of those holes on the wall.
>>> CAN YOU GUESS what was the PURPOSES of these holes?
(I should mention that once I heard the answer from a local leader about purpose of those holes, I admit the high mentality of Persian Empire and it's Governors! <<<

http://www.photopoints.com/main/photos/showphoto.aspx?pid=5BFD3B9D81FB7CEA4833

kombizz
looking forward to hear your answer

[Jocelyn Walker]

Re: Gogad Caravansary &amp; the town of Mahallat

I'd say that the top holes are for guns as it looks a bit like a fortress....the metal bits could be for holding barrels/kegs of some sort! The lower holes in the wall could be for air flow or for looking out, like a spyhole or for armoury! How old is the building.....it doesn't look that ancient!

[kombizz]

Re: Gogad Caravansary &amp; the town of Mahallat

I'd say that the top holes are for guns as it looks a bit like a fortress....the metal bits could be for holding barrels/kegs of some sort! The lower holes in the wall could be for air flow or for looking out, like a spyhole or for armoury! How old is the building.....it doesn't look that ancient!

My friend,
Your ANSWERS are TOTALLY wrong.
(if you read the comments under this imge in www.photopoints.com, you would SEE that only one person from Italy gussed right. he was very close to answer)

Good luck