After Konya, en route to Cappadocia, we visited the magnificent Caravanserai of Agzikarahan.

Caravanserais (caravan palaces) have been built and used since the 10th century. These buildings provided accommodation and other amenities for the merchants and stabling for their animals. Inside each caravanserai there was also a small mosque for their religious services.

During the times of Seljuk Sultans Kilicarslan II and Alaaddin Keykubat I, the construction of these buildings increased. Merchants of all nationalities were put in the caravanserais with food and beverage all free of charge up to three nights. They could get their shoes repaired. New shoes were given to the poor, and treatment was available for the sick. If the merchants were robbed, the loss of the trades would be compensated by the states. It was the first insurance system in the world.