Caravanserais

Caravanserais were roadside inns built along trade routes, especially in Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa, from medieval times onward. They provided safe resting places for traveling merchants, their animals, and goods, offering shelter, food, and security. Typically, they featured a central courtyard with rooms surrounding it, allowing traders to recover and prepare for their journeys. These structures facilitated long-distance trade, cultural exchange, and economic growth by supporting the movement of goods like silk, spices, and textiles across vast regions. Caravanserais were vital hubs that connected diverse cultures and markets throughout history.