CARAVANSERAIL

The camels and mule had to be here as comfortable as the cars, if not anymore, as the beautiful caravanserai of Ry keeps the remains, recalling that this road was, in medieval times, one of the main axes of north-south trade, linking the Arab-Persian world to the countries of the Caucasus.
According to an inscription engraved at the entrance of the monument (in the Persian language outside, and, more discreetly, in Armenian, inside), the caravanserai was built in 1332 by Prince Késar Orbélian. It is a long vaulted room, the three spans of which are separated by a double row of eight square squares, connected by arches in full hangers. This room was set aside for men, as the animals were left outside. The comfort was not really that of a hostel, the building without any doubt as a simple stop for the caravaneers who spent the night there. The light of the day does not filter until three skylights skylights in stalactites and breakthroughs in the vault of the central nave, itself covered by a roof in a very slightly steep climbing. This long room extends through a small construction adorned with sculptures, the most interesting element of the building; its portal is surmounted by a conical eardrum decorated with stalactites, with a distinctly selçuk inspiration. Carved on both sides of the facade made of large grey and orange volcanic stones, a bull and a chimera keep the entrance of the caravanserai.