“There will be ample areas for Iranian turquoise lapidarists to conduct their activities in the large rooms of the old caravansary,” Mohammad Rokni said.
The Shah Abbasi Caravansary of Neishabur was once located outside of the city. However, due to the city’s expansion, the monument is now located in the middle of Neishabur.
Built in the Safavid era (1501-1722), the caravansary is comprised of four verandas and 20 rooms, surrounded by a central yard. It was converted into an orphanage during the Qajar era (1794-1925).
Neishabur has always been a center of the turquoise industry due to the high-quality of the turquoise in the nearby mines.
Neishabur’s mines produce the world’s most sought-after turquoise because its pores are smaller, and thus it is less affected by contact with human skin and maintains its beautiful color.
NM/ML/HG
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MNA