Dayakhatyn Caravanserai

Dayahatyn, known locally as Daýahatyn, is a remarkable medieval caravanserai located in Turkmenistan. The ruins of this ancient architectural gem lie approximately 170 kilometers from the administrative center of the Lebap region, the city of Turkmenabat. Dating back to the 11th and 12th centuries, this monument offers a glimpse into the rich history of the region and its significance along ancient trade routes.

Strategically situated on the left bank of the Amu Darya River, Dayahatyn was once a key stop along the old road that connected Amul (now Turkmenabat) with Khorezm. The caravanserai, originally designed as a rectangular fortress with sides measuring 112 by 125 meters, featured corner towers that have long since crumbled. The entrance, positioned on the eastern side, leads into a square building measuring 53 by 53 meters, centered within a large courtyard surrounded by terraces. The structure was constructed using sun-dried bricks bound with clay mortar and was later adorned both inside and out with fired bricks.

The local name for the monument, Baýhatyn, is steeped in legend. According to the tale, a wealthy landowner, misled by a friend’s slander, suspected his wife of infidelity. Disguised as a wandering dervish, he left his home in despair. His wife, Bayhatyn, waited for him for many years. In an effort to ease his hardships in the desert, she ordered the construction of a large and beautiful caravanserai. By a twist of fate, the husband returned to his homeland as one of the laborers on the project, unrecognized by all but his wife, who remained concealed under a veil. After the caravanserai was completed, Bayhatyn hosted a grand feast, during which she subtly revealed the truth of her husband’s unfounded suspicions. The legend concludes with the couple’s reconciliation.

The Dayahatyn Caravanserai was built almost at the center of a vast rectangular courtyard, enclosed by fortress walls. Archaeological excavations have revealed that these walls are remnants of the Takhiriya ribat, a fortress constructed in the 9th century by Tahir ibn al-Husayn (776–822 CE), the ruler of Khorasan and founder of the Tahirid dynasty. This connection is supported by accounts from medieval authors, including Al-Istakhri (10th century) and Yaqut (13th century). Architectural analysis and examination of construction materials suggest that the Dayahatyn Caravanserai was originally built during this period, with its sun-dried brick walls later clad in fired brick, likely in the latter half of the 11th century.