“Deyre Gachin” is one of the ancient structures of Iran that survived from ancient times and has been rebuilt several times in different historical periods. From the point of view of architecture, this work is a rare masterpiece, and it does not have many examples among the caravanserai structures of Iran. In addition, signs of Iran’s historical periods can be seen in its corners, talking about the historical continuity of this structure.
Eighty kilometers away from the city of Qom, on the road that connects the cities of Qom, Varamin, Saveh, and Garmsar, the historical caravanserai of Deyre Gachin is visible, right was the National Desert Park is.
The foundations of this structure are remnants of a Sasanian fire temple. After that period, it was converted into a fortress, until, in the 11th century, during the Safavid reign, it turned into a caravanserai. Since then, Deyre Gachin was a place for caravans and travelers to stay and take rest. Therefore, the Qajar government rebuilt it into a new structure. The caravanserai has an area of eight thousand square meters. But, if we add its side structures to it, such as the water reservoir, brick kiln, and the cemetery, this historical site will add up to 19,000 sqm.
Features of Deyre Gachin Caravanserai
One of the most important structural features of Deyre Gachin Caravanserai, which makes it more or less unique, is that everything needed by caravans and travelers is provided in this structure. There is a stone mill, a bathhouse, a hothouse and a hot pool, and a backyard. In addition, an observation tower, a mosque, a vestibule, rooms, shops for the supply of goods, and a camel shed for the caravan camels.
Deyre Gachin caravanserai has six towers. A tower can be seen in each corner, and two towers on both sides of the entrance gate of the Caravanserai. The four porches also add a lot to the beauty of the structure. A point worth noting is the porches are built on the side where they are safe from desert winds.
The number of cabins in the caravanserai is 43. its camel sheds are eight in number; and thus, it could accommodate many caravans. The special porch, for VIP travelers, and the spacious backyard we mentioned earlier are among the other spaces of this beautiful caravanserai. The structure is square, and arches can be seen in each corner. Among other sights of Deyre Gachin is its entrance dome. The walls are 1 m thick with a height of 5 m. On the whole, everything we see in the structure of Deyre Gachin Caravanserai shows the intelligence and artistry of its architects and the sophistication of the construction of the caravanserai. In the heart of this difficult-to-pass desert, they have built a beautiful and comfortable place for travelers and commercial caravans. Such taste and innovation have been used in designing the roofs and ledges that it has turned out to be truly spectacular. It is example of the most beautiful structures of Iran’s ancient caravanserai. Those who have researched Iran’s caravanserais consider Deyre Gachin to be very special and unique from the point of view of the construction of its cabins. They say that a system has been used to construct those cabins that has no match. One of the rooms, which is more visible and beautiful than the others, is the royal residence of Deyre Gachin Caravanserai and was a place for receiving and accommodating high-rank travelers.
The other two parts annexed to the caravanserai, that we mentioned earlier, are the hot bath and the stone mill. Construction of a hot bath inside an Iranian caravanserai has no precedent. It is evidence of the builder’s knowledge of traveler’s needs. This caravanserai is sometimes called by other names, such as Qasre Gach, Kordshir fortress and Yer fortress.
It is not without reason that it has been called the “mother of Iran’s caravanserais,” and experts have always insisted on its values. Deyre Gachin Caravanserai, which has lost its former use, is now a place for tourism.
