Robat Esfak and Nigenan

Robat Esfak and Robat Nigenan are two historic buildings and tourist attractions of Boshruyeh County in South Khorasan Province. They stand in the villages of Esfak and Nigenan, in the Central District of the county. In the past, both caravanserais lay on routes used by caravans and travellers, and served as places to rest, stay temporarily and keep pack animals. Both were built in the traditional style of Iranian caravanserais, oriented east to west, and the available sources give the area of each as about 2,500 square metres. According to the inscription above the entrance gate, Robat Nigenan was built in 1314 AH (lunar Hijri), and the inscription records the name of its architect, Ustad Mohammad Memar, son of Morad, of Ustad Baqer Yazdi. The building was added to Iran's National Heritage list in 2007 (1386 SH) under registration number 20563.

The two robats are very similar in overall structure, but differ in some details. One notable difference is the pair of towers on either side of the entrance portal at Robat Esfak, which Robat Nigenan does not have. Robat Nigenan has a large wooden entrance door; beyond it are a vestibule (hashti) and raised platforms on both sides of the entrance. Large and small iwans are built symmetrically around the central courtyard, and covered rooms and stable areas (bareh-band) are placed in different parts of the building. These spaces were once used to keep the horses and other pack animals of the caravans. Striking features of Robat Nigenan include the domed entrance vestibule, geometric brickwork in square and diamond patterns, the brick decoration of the iwans and the stone gutters. The complexes were built with materials such as brick, mud brick and gypsum plaster, and many of the interior spaces have domed ceilings. Together with the geometric order and symmetry throughout the buildings, these features are a fine example of the region's historic caravanserai architecture.

To visit Robat Esfak and Robat Nigenan, head from the town of Boshruyeh towards the villages of Esfak and Nigenan. Esfak lies on the Boshruyeh–Tabas road, about 30 km from Boshruyeh, and can be reached by private car. To visit Robat Nigenan, go to the centre of Nigenan village. Because the region has a hot, dry climate, spring, autumn and the cool days of winter are the best times to visit. Entry to both robats is free, and seeing their main parts takes less than an hour. While visiting, please avoid damaging the mud-brick walls, brickwork and architectural decoration, and help preserve these valuable monuments by keeping the site clean and respecting the historic fabric of the villages.