Yengi Imam Caravanserai

Yengi Imam Caravanserai is one of the most valuable historic buildings in Alborz Province. It stands in the village of Yengi Imam, near Hashtgerd, beside the old Karaj–Qazvin road. The caravanserai was built in the Safavid era and underwent extensive changes in the Qajar period, when it was turned into an aristocratic guesthouse with a garden and summer residences in addition to serving as a caravanserai. In 1998 (1377 SH) Yengi Imam Caravanserai was added to Iran's National Heritage List under registration number 2175, and in 2023 (1402 SH) it was also inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the serial property of Persian Caravanserais. Once one of the most important stopping places on the route from Tehran to Qazvin, this historic building is now regarded as one of the most distinctive historical monuments of Savojbolagh and Hashtgerd, and its unique architecture attracts anyone interested in Iranian history and architecture.

The architecture of Yengi Imam Caravanserai is based on the Safavid four-iwan plan and combines authentic Iranian architecture with the influence of European architecture of the Qajar period. The complex covers about 4,700 square metres and includes a central courtyard, cells, iwans, stables, a camel house, a stone pool and surrounding corridors. In the Qajar period a large garden was laid out on the southern side of the caravanserai, and parts of the building were rebuilt in the style of European guesthouses. The central pool, the water channels, the brick domes and the many cells give the complex a special atmosphere. Over the years the caravanserai has had various uses, and for a time it was occupied by military forces, which damaged parts of the building. In recent years restoration and reconstruction work has been carried out in cooperation with the Cultural Heritage Organization and UNESCO, and parts of the walls, cells and domes have been revived. Nearby are the Yengi Imam Imamzadeh and the historic Yengi Imam Hill, which add further to the historical value of the area.

To reach Yengi Imam Caravanserai, take the old Karaj–Qazvin road and, after reaching the village of Yengi Imam near Hashtgerd, follow the side road leading to the caravanserai. The complex is about 65 kilometres northwest of Tehran and is very easy to reach by private car. The best times to visit this historic site are spring and autumn, when the weather in the area is mild and the surrounding countryside is greener. Because some restoration work is still under way, it may not always be possible to visit the whole complex. While at the site, visitors should avoid entering areas under restoration, damaging the building and leaving litter behind, so that the conservation and revival of this historic monument can continue successfully.