Miami Caravanserai

The Miami Caravanserai is one of the most valuable historical buildings of the Safavid era in the city of Miami, Miami County, Semnan Province. It stands on Imam Reza Street. In the past it was an important roadside lodging for travellers and caravans moving along the region's routes, and like other caravanserais in Iran, it played a major role in providing rest and the services travellers needed. Because of its historical and architectural importance, the Miami Caravanserai was registered on Iran's National Heritage List on 17 Ordibehesht 1365 (Solar Hijri) under number 1718. In 1402 (Solar Hijri) it was also inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, together with 53 other historical caravanserais from 24 provinces of Iran, as part of the "Iranian Caravanserais" property, and so became part of Iran's world heritage.

The Miami Caravanserai is a courtyard-type, four-iwan caravanserai, and its rectangular plan is built of brick. The central courtyard lies among the four iwans, with numerous cells built around it. The cells have pointed arches and small porches or platforms, which add to the order and beauty of the interior. Behind the cells run corridors that were used as stables, allowing the caravan animals to be kept close to where their owners stayed. Four large cylindrical round towers at the corners of the building and two smaller towers along its sides make six towers in total, which are among the distinctive elements of the caravanserai's defensive and architectural structure. The main entrance is on the north side of the building, and after passing through the entrance corridor you reach the central courtyard. Other notable features of this historic caravanserai include inscriptions recording the name of the founder and the construction date, as well as restoration work carried out in recent years. The complex covers an area of about 5,250 square metres.

The Miami Caravanserai is located inside the city on Imam Reza Street, so it can be reached by private car, taxi or city public transport. Its urban location makes it easy to include a visit in a Miami sightseeing plan, and alongside the caravanserai, visitors can explore the town's urban fabric and other attractions of the area. Spring and autumn, with their milder weather, are the better times to travel and visit Miami's historical sites; in summer it is best to visit during the cooler hours of the day. While at the site, avoid damaging the bricks, inscriptions and historic decorations, writing on the walls, or altering the structure of the building, and help protect this world heritage by keeping the site clean and respecting its historic setting.