Infrastructure for Trade Routes in Western Azerbaijan, Iran: Caravanserais, Bridges, and Fortresses

Abstract

Since 549 BC, Iranians ruled over vast territories and commanded large-scale empires. Thus, it is not surprising that Iranians have built far-reaching infrastructures for the last three millennia, ensuring safe travel and trade routes and facilitating international trade, communication, political and cultural exchanges. This phenomenon is particularly relevant in Western Azerbaijan. It was the gateway to Baghdad, capital of the Caliphate, from 632 until 1258, when it fell to the Mongols. It was also the gateway to the Mediterranean port cities, Turkey, and Russia, connecting Iran and the east to Europe. For centuries and until very recently, it was a region that was heavily populated, often governed and maintained by Armenians, who left their heritage in so many ways throughout Western Iran. Critical elements of safe travel paths require necessities to allow journeys over vast territories. It was imperative to provide a well-established and monitored travel route with strategically located stations, providing safety, lodging, food, shelter and care for the animals, storage, and a series of other services. Thus, the concept of caravanserais was developed and adopted to their particular location, climate, and topography. To protect the trade routes and provide a degree of safety in the land, building and maintaining critical points of the territory, fortresses, and garrisons were necessary. These were often not intended as major military establishments but rather as a regional garrison, protecting specific passages and regions. A further important element necessary to facilitate the movement of people and merchandise is the bridge. West Azerbaijan has few permanent, large rivers, but many seasonal rivers and water paths make traveling impossible without well-built structures over the water elements. This article intends to study, analyze, and explain the central infrastructures of the principal routes of travel in northwestern Iran, emphasizing the typologies of caravanserais, fortresses, and bridges.