Maranjab Caravansary   

Caravansaries in Iran date back to the time of Achaemenids. Darius, the great Achaemenid king, developed vast networks of roads to connect different parts of his empire together. To make possible traveling these newly-built roads, abodes should have been provided for the travelers to shed off the exhaustion of traveling for some time and be fresh to continue their way. For this reason, Achaemenids built caravansaries to ease the hardships of long road journeys. And, from that time onward, caravansaries became part of the traditional architecture of Iran. 

The plan of Maranjab Caravansary is based on the prevalent architectural style of the Safavid period. Based on this plan, the rooms of this one-storied caravansary were built around the main courtyard and stables were placed behind them. Also, the caravansary included a Qanat or aqueduct which used to provide the necessary water for the travelers who had to pass through the arid desert of Maranjab on the way to their destination. 

A long time ago, when the Silk Road was still a prospering commercial route, people could reside and rest in this 3500 sqm caravansary and enjoy the sweet water of its old qanat. In addition, Shah Abbas the first, the great Safavid king, had a defensive building constructed to guarantee the security of merchants and travelers. In this building, hundreds of armed soldiers were kept on duty to back off any unwanted threat occurring during the day. 

The significant square-shaped plan of this 400-year-old brick building, its six watchtowers and the pool in front of the southern portal entrance are the first things which come to the eyes of the observer. Today, the twenty-nine rooms of the Caravansary around the courtyard, plus an added number of porches (ayvan), provide the basic facilities for the accommodation of tourists. After an exciting stargazing on the rooftop, a secure sleep in your room helps you be refreshed for the next day.