Deir-e Gachin Caravanserai

Deir-e Gachin Caravanserai, one of the oldest and largest caravanserais in Iran, is located in Qom Province, in the heart of Kavir National Park. This historic building stands about 80 kilometres northeast of the city of Qom, on the old Rey–Qom road. The caravanserai dates back to the Sasanian era and was restored and expanded during the Seljuk and Safavid periods. Thanks to its unique architectural features and vast dimensions, it has become known as the "Mother of Iran's Caravanserais."

Covering an area of about 12,000 square metres, Deir-e Gachin Caravanserai is designed on a four-iwan plan. The building has four round towers at the corners and two semi-elliptical towers flanking the main entrance portal. Its interior spaces include 44 living rooms, four large halls (stables), a mosque, a private prayer hall, a fodder storehouse, a mill, a bathhouse and toilets. The materials used in its construction include brick, gypsum plaster, lime and mortar. The caravanserai's mosque was probably built on top of a Sasanian fire temple and has no interior decoration.

Deir-e Gachin Caravanserai was added to Iran's National Heritage list on 1 Mehr 1382 (SH) under registration number 10408. On 26 Shahrivar 1402 (SH), at the 45th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, the dossier of Iran's Caravanserais was inscribed as Iran's 27th World Heritage property, and Deir-e Gachin Caravanserai was included in it. To reach Deir-e Gachin Caravanserai from Tehran, take the Tehran–Qom road and, after about 115 kilometres of driving, turn onto the entrance road of Kavir National Park. This road leads directly to the caravanserai. Today, Deir-e Gachin Caravanserai is one of the tourist attractions of Qom Province and is visited by those interested in Iranian history and architecture.