'History' detective

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Güzden Varinlioğlu from Izmir University of Economics (IUE) took action to unearth the caravanserais with a historical past dating back centuries, reflecting the traces of Turkish culture. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Varinlioğlu, who developed a project to photograph the caravanserais in the Aegean and Mediterranean and turn them into virtual museums, visited 10 caravanserais for a week in Antalya with a drone and camera. After examining the scientific research,  Assoc. Prof. Dr. Varinlioğlu estimated the locations and found the caravanserais one by one, and took photos and video footage of the caravanserais, reflecting their architectural features. The project called "Virtual Museum of Caravanserais", which is also  supported by Koç University Suna & İnan Kıraç Research Center for Mediterranean Civilizations (AKMED), aims to bring caravanserais into tourism and transfer them to future generations through virtual tours.

300 OUT OF A THOUSAND CARAVANSARAIES ARE KNOWN

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Güzden Varinlioğlu, IUE Department of Architecture, Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, said that she attaches great importance to the project and aims to complete it in two years. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Varinlioğlu said, “Scientific research suggests that there may be about a thousand caravanserais in Turkey. Currently, 300 of them are known. My biggest goal is to help locate the unknown or inactive caravanserais and bring them into history. I visited 10 caravanserais in Antalya. Since the Mediterranean is at a commercially important point, there are many caravanserais in this region. I was not the first one to have found the caravanserai that I visited in Antalya. But there are likely to be new structures undiscovered in this region. My project also includes this.”

I WAS DIGGING THROUGH BOOKS

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Varinlioğlu continued as follows: “Caravanserai is one of our most important historical riches. Caravanserais reflect the importance given to trade by the Turks, their understanding of social state and hospitality. I will photograph the caravanserais in different parts of our country and turn them into virtual museums. Thus, I will ensure that these structures are passed down from generation to generation. Going on a historical journey gives me peace and joy. I am all alone with history. While researching the caravanserais, I also reach new information about our culture. I searched the names of towns and places and examined the regions in order to find the caravanserais. It's like I've been digging through books. I went to the villages, met the people there. I can't wait to complete my project as soon as possible. Associate Prof. Dr. Pınar Yoldaş from University of California in the United States (USA) also takes part in the project and provides significant support. I thank her for her part in the project.”