TEHRAN--Mayamey in Semnan province, with its collection of historical caravanserais such as Mayamey, Miandasht, and Abbasabad, represents part of Iran’s cultural heritage.

These buildings are symbol of Iranian architectural art and the importance of trade routes in different eras, and provide an opportunity to introduce Iran as a cultural tourism destination, Miras Aria wrote. 

Mayamey has been known for its caravanserais since ancient times. Located on the route connecting Tehran to Mashhad, this city has witnessed the prosperity and expansion of a network of caravanserais, each of which is a testament to the region’s turbulent history. 

These structures are not only symbols of Iranian architecture, but also have special importance as centers for rest, meeting the needs of members of caravans, and trading on long routes. 

A caravanserai is a building for caravans. Without a doubt, caravanserai is a genuine Iranian word. This word is derived from the Parthian Pahlavi language. 

The historical etymology of the caravanserai indicates that the main definition of the caravanserai lies in its commercial and trade dimension, that is, a place where members of caravans used to travel for trade and to avoid bandits and natural obstacles. The past of the caravanserai shows that its emergence was in the connection of tribes and nations. 

During the Achaemenid, Parthian, Mongol, Seljuk, Ottoman, and Safavid eras, when trade and commerce expanded in the political geography of each of them, caravanserai flourished and developed. 

Therefore, a simple definition of a caravanserai, which is agreed upon by experts and scholars, is that a caravanserai was a large building outside or inside the city that members of a caravan used primarily for commercial purposes and later for military, political, religious and social purposes. 

Historical texts attribute the invention and creation of caravanserais to the civilization of Islamic Iran, so since the word caravanserai is Iranian, it is natural that the construction of this building is the result of Iranian taste and initiative. The fact is that the foundation of the caravanserai dates back to pre-Islamic Iran. 

The climatic conditions and the political and military geographical extent of the Achaemenids, and most importantly, their fascination with other nations, created the ancient post offices known as Chaparkhaneh that became a prelude to the caravanserai, so for the first time in world history, the Iranians organized a communication system of main and long highways, and what is called the caravanserai today is essentially the evolution of the Achaemenid postal stations and the commercial and trading settlements of the Parthians and Sassanids along the international Silk Road. 

Mayamey county is bordered by Golestan and North Khorasan provinces to the north, by Khorasan Razavi province to the east, and by Shahroud county to the west. Given the location of this county on the Tehran-Mashhad communication axis, its communication and transit importance has been noted since ancient times.

The existence of eight caravanserais in this city, which include Mayamey caravanserai, Sepanj (Jahanabad), Miandasht, Abbasabad, Alhak, Sadrabad, Mohammadabad Pol-e-Abrisham and Sangi Sharifabad, is evidence of this claim.

Continuing on the route towards Mashhad, 40 kilometers east of Mayamey on the Mayamey-Mashhad Road, is the ‘Miandasht Caravanserai Complex’. This complex, which is considered the largest caravanserai complex in Iran, includes three caravanserais and three water tanks, Kabootar Khaneh (pigeon house), Chaparkhaneh and the historical village of Miandasht. The western caravanserai of this complex dates back to the Safavid era and the other two caravanserais date back to the Qajar era. 

The historical village and tourist destination of Abbasabad is located 80 kilometers from the center of Mayamey city. 

Abbasabad caravanserai is the largest single caravanserai in the city, located in the heart of the historical and stepped texture of Abbasabad. It is one of the most important attractions of this village, located in the center of Abbasabad village. 

Abbasabad caravanserai was built during the Safavid era and was renovated during the Qajar era. One of the attractions located in the historical texture of Mayamey, Mayamey caravanserai is one of the beautiful caravanserais of Safavid era. 

Located 60 kilometers northeast of Mayamey city and in the very small and remote village of Jahanabad, there is a historical caravanserai that dates back to the Ilkhanid era. Jahanabad caravanserai was built in a rectangular shape with four porches. 

The heritage of caravanserai in Iran not only reflects the ancient history and culture of this land, but can also be considered an important attraction for attracting tourists and those interested in history and architecture. In today's world, paying attention to these historical monuments and their revival can play a major role in introducing Iran as a cultural and historical tourism destination, thereby helping to preserve the identity and history of this land. 

In conclusion, it can be said that caravanserais are not only a part of Iran's history and cultural heritage, but also a symbol of human connections and cultural exchange between different ethnic groups throughout the history. These buildings, which have become a refuge for travelers, merchants, and passersby over time, today serve as living evidence of Iranian art and architecture in different eras, reminding us of how our history has been shaped by roads and paths. 

Mayamey county, with a collection of these historical caravanserais, offers opportunities to revive culture and introduce Iran as a cultural and historical tourism destination.

KD