TEHRAN, Sept 18, 2023 (BSS/AFP) - The United Nations cultural organisation
on Sunday added many of Iran's caravanserais, roadside rest stops for
travellers along the country's ancient trade routes, to its World Heritage
List.

The decision to register the 56 caravanserais, just a small percentage of the
structures built in Iran, was made in Riyadh during the 45th session of the
World Heritage Committee.

Caravanserais provided "shelter, food and water for caravans, pilgrims and
other travellers," UNESCO said its website.

Iran boasts more than 200 caravanserais on historic trade routes that
traverse the country linking Asia and Europe, including the Silk Road.

"They are considered to be the most influential and valuable examples of the
caravanserais of Iran, revealing a wide range of architectural styles,
adaptation to climatic conditions, and construction materials, spread across
thousands of kilometres and built over many centuries," said UNESCO.

Among them are the caravanserais of Qasr-e Bahram near the city of Semnan,
Deyr-e Gachin near Qom, and Anjireh Sangi near Yazd.

Iran now has 27 UNESCO-listed historical sites, including the ancient city of
Persepolis, the capital of the Achaemenid Empire, Armenian monasteries in the
northwest and the historic city of Yazd itself.