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Caravanserais were key for the development and success of the trade routes. A safe place for travellers that combined the functions of a storehouse, inn and even fortress. Unfortunately, not many remain in Central Asia. Let's explore the region's finest examples 
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Perhaps the most grandiose of the caravanserais left in the region is Rabat-i Malik. Its impressive 12-metre portal is its most striking feature. We owe its existence to Shams-al-Mulk Nasr (1068-80), the Karakhanid ruler of Samarkand 2/7
Navoiy region
Navoiy region
Dayhatyn started life as a Tahirid fortress (9th century), and was later transformed into a caravanserai (11th-12th centuries) by the Seljuks. It's Turkmenistan's best-preserved caravanserai and is currently being restored thanks to US funding 3/7
Lebap region
Lebap region
The picturesque Tash Rabat is shrouded in mystery. Some theories say it was originally built as a caravanserai, others as a Nestorian monastery. What we see today does seem to have been erected during the reign of Muhammad Khan of Moghulistan (1408-15) 4/7
Naryn province
Naryn province
Despite its large dimensions (150x80m), Akcha-kala is mostly unknown. Located on the ancient road from Merv to Amul (Turkmenabat), it was built in the second half of the 11th century by the Seljuks 5/7
Mary region
Mary region
Little is left of Beleuli in the arid Ustyurt Plateau. Built by the Mongols in the 13th century, the complex consisted
of a caravanserai, a cistern, wells, quarries and cemeteries. What survives to this day of the caravanserai is its
portal 6/7
Karakalpakstan
of a caravanserai, a cistern, wells, quarries and cemeteries. What survives to this day of the caravanserai is its
portal 6/7
Karakalpakstan
Bonus. Outside what is the former Soviet republics of Central Asia, we can also find great examples of caravanserais. Like the Ribat-i Sharaf, built in the 12th century under Seljuk rule 7/7
Razavi Khorasan province
Razavi Khorasan province
