Anjireh Stone Caravanserai

The Anjireh Stone Caravanserai is one of the valuable historical monuments of Yazd Province. It is located in the Anjireh desert in Ardakan County, beside the historic route from Yazd to Saghand and Tabas. The building stands about 500 metres from the Anjireh Brick Caravanserai and is known as the oldest registered caravanserai in Yazd Province. Its origins are attributed to the Ilkhanid period, and it is said to have been built about 700 years ago during the rule of the Mongol Ilkhanids. However, other views have also been put forward about the site's earlier history, and some researchers, citing references by geographers of the 4th century AH, suggest that the site may be considerably older. The Anjireh Stone Caravanserai was registered on Iran's National Heritage List on 19 Mehr 1378 under number 2449.

The caravanserai also has distinctive architectural features. Unlike many well-known caravanserais, it has an irregular octagonal plan. Most of the building is made of stone, while brick is used in some parts, such as the covering of the entrance vestibule. The stables are on two sides of the building, and each has two entrances: one opens onto the caravanserai courtyard and the other onto the entrance vestibule. The rooms originally had niches and old fireplaces, which reflect part of the way of life and the facilities used by travellers and caravan members in the past. The building's position on the historic route linking Yazd, Saghand and Tabas shows its role in supporting the passage of caravans across the region's dry desert landscape. In 1402 (2023), the Anjireh Stone Caravanserai was also inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, together with 53 other historic caravanserais of Iran, as part of the "Iranian Caravanserais" property, which gives it an important place in Iran's historical and architectural heritage. Despite its historical and global value, the building is in poor condition. Because it is remote from the main road and exposed to erosion, much of it has been damaged, and only a limited part of the roof covering remains, especially around the entrance.

To visit the Anjireh Stone Caravanserai, travel to Ardakan County in Yazd Province and then to the Anjireh desert area along the historic Yazd–Saghand–Tabas route. The building is about 500 metres from the Anjireh Brick Caravanserai, but because it lies off the main route and is in a damaged state, visiting requires extra care and a vehicle suited to desert tracks. Given the region's hot, dry climate, autumn, winter and early spring are the better times to travel here, and it is best to avoid being in the desert during the hottest hours of the day. Because parts of the caravanserai are at risk of collapse, visitors should not enter unstable sections, touch or move the stones and bricks of the building, or go near worn walls and ceilings. By not leaving litter and by avoiding damage to the desert's natural vegetation, visitors can help protect this historic heritage and its surroundings.