CARAVANSARIES OF BITLIS: CASE OF EL- AMAN KHAN THROUGH THE EYES OF MATRAKÇI NASUH

Abstract

Bitlis was settled on important trade roads between Asia and Mediterranean with offering market bridge since the beginning of history. With the victory of Malazgirt in 1071 city is frequented by the Turkish army. Since then Bitlis owned the essence of open-air museum even today because of having so many monuments which are still standing. The importance of historical background and vital location of city has not been reflected in the historical sources as anticipated. On the other hand, domestic and foreign travelers who visits Bitlis somehow keep travel diaries which are reference guides today in order to have an idea about the situation of the city at that time, events, places and people in light of the authors owns style and vision. Travelers’ records have been documented as visual map through Matrakçı Nasuh. Between 1533 and 1536 Kanuni Sultan Süleyman organized a campaign and through their journey all ranges were they crossed he noted a book which is called as Beyân-ı Menâzil-i Sefer-i Irâkeyn Süleyman Han or Description of the Stages of His Imperial Majesty Sultan Süleyman’s Campaign in Two Iraqs (the ‘two Iraqs’ of the title refer to areas that are today Western Iran and Iraq). He has recorded representations of the cities making them almost appropriate exactly to their origin. The miniature of Bitlis which was depicting by Matrakçı Nasuh is the oldest image of the city. In this context, this paper will examine El-Aman Khan which is still standing today as depicted through the city which is the only document of the 16th century, overlaid with the technical drawings of building and photographs describing the current situations will be discussed with the traveler’s records from past. It would not be wrong to think that Matrakçı Nasuh designed the city descriptions as a city guide, regardless of the purpose of the muralist. Although renovation of khan is completed today it can be traced miniatures layout both El-Aman Han and the other important historical places.