Sultankhan is located in the city of Sultankhany, which is in the Aksaray district. The hotel was built in 1229 by Anatolian Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad I. Later, in 1278, it was ruled by Sultan Giyaseddin Keykhusrev II. The hotel has a beautiful portal with geometric patterns, and inside it resembles the Gek Madrasah in Sivas in its style. The prayer "Elminnetul Lillah" is written right under the pointed arch, which translates as "Power belongs to Allah." In the first inscription of the caravanserai, you can see hexagonal medallions on both sides of the ornamental arch that surrounds the niche of the outer portal. After passing through a long corridor, you enter the courtyard. There are places for cars, an arched hall on the left, rooms for passengers, recreation areas, two baths and warehouses. In the center of the courtyard there is a mosque with four arches – this is an excellent example of the decorative art of the Seljuks. On the western wall, at the end of the courtyard, there is a portal, which is not inferior in decoration to the entrance. There are also niches to the right and left of it. The inscriptions are placed on arches and niches. Entering through a low arched door, you can get into the winter part. This area is covered by a vault and divided into four short sections with square cassettes and five pots. The central hall is larger and wider, and at the top it is blocked by a dome, which rests on an octagonal drum with pendants. A dome lantern inside illuminates two windows: four on one side and three on the lower wall. These windows have no other source of light and air. The inner portal is in excellent condition, decorated with geometric patterns and embossed rosettes. As an example, we took the inner portal of Karataykhan and reproduced it exactly. This suggests that both portals were made simultaneously with other parts of the hall during the reign of Alaaddin Keykubat. The dome, which rests on the slopes of the mukarnassus, adds interest to the simple stone minaret in the stucco hall. But, unfortunately, the cone of the dome collapsed.

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A large caravanserai of Seljuk architecture of the 13th century, located in Sultanhani, Aksaray province, Turkey. It is one of the three monumental caravanserais around Aksaray, located about 40 km west of Aksaray on the road to Konya.

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