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The historical caravansary of Deyr-e Gachin

dating back to Sassanid Dynasty, is located 80 km northeast of Qom.

Also known as “Mother of All Iranian Caravansaries” it has undergone several phases of restoration. However, experts have voiced concern over its present condition.

Ammar Kavousi, deputy head of Qom Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Department, told Mehr News Agency that the caravansary was registered on the National Heritage List seven years ago.

“Before it was registered on the National Heritage List, it was converted into a place for livestock by tribesmen,” he said, noting that years of disrepair and negligence had largely damaged the ancient site.

“The building was evacuated soon after the national registration and restoration projects were launched.

“An estimated 700 million rials ($70,000) was allocated for the renovation of the site three years after it was registered,” he added. The building dates back 1,750 years and was probably built during the administration of Ardeshir Sassanid, the official said.

“The caravansary is situated along one of the most important ancient trade routes of Iran which connect the southeast to the west,” he said.

On why it was named the “Mother of All Iranian Caravansaries”, Kavousi said Deyr-e Gachin is Iran’s biggest and the most ancient caravansary.

“As an ancient place of rest it had many accommodation facilities including a mosque, a big yard, a barn, a mill, bath, public toilets…” he added.

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