Büyük Han

Büyük Han, meaning “Great Inn,” is an Ottoman-era caravanserai in the historic centre of Nicosia, Cyprus. Built after the Ottoman conquest of Cyprus, it is generally dated to 1572 and is regarded as the largest caravanserai on the island and one of its most notable historic buildings. Rather than a conventional commercial brand, Büyük Han is a heritage landmark whose name functions as the identity of a visitor destination, cultural venue, and cluster of small tenant businesses. The building was established to accommodate travelling merchants, their animals, goods, and commercial activity. Historical accounts connect its construction with Muzaffer Pasha, the first Ottoman governor of Cyprus, while other scholarship attributes the work to his successor Sinan Pasha or to an architect named Bostan sent from Constantinople. The uncertainty reflects the limited surviving documentation and the differing interpretations of Ottoman administrative records. The structure was reportedly built on the site of an earlier inn or other pre-existing buildings and was influenced by Anatolian caravanserai architecture, particularly Koza Han in Bursa. Originally known as Yeni Han, or “New Inn,” the complex was also called Alanyalılar Hanı because merchants from Alanya were associated with it. It acquired the name Büyük Han after the construction of the smaller Kumarcılar Han opposite Asmaaltı Square in the seventeenth century. Its plan is approximately square, measuring about 50.67 metres by 45.25 metres. Two storeys of rooms surround a large open courtyard. The ground-floor rooms historically supported trade, while the upper rooms provided lodging. Colonnaded circulation spaces, cross vaults, fireplaces, and distinctive stone chimneys contribute to the building’s architectural character. Ten small shops stand behind the colonnade at the eastern entrance. At the centre of the courtyard is a köşk mescidi, or small pavilion mosque, with a fountain associated with pre-prayer ablutions. The mosque resembles comparable structures in Anatolian caravanserais. A nearby grave has traditionally been linked either to a respected worshipper or to Muzaffer Pasha, although the latter identification is treated as a legend rather than an established fact by some historians. The complex underwent several changes under British administration. After the British takeover in 1878, it was adapted for penal use and became Nicosia’s central prison from 1892 until 1903. It then returned to use as an inn between 1903 and 1947. From 1947 to 1962, it provided inexpensive rooms for poor families. Later restoration, carried out largely during the 1990s, returned the site to public and commercial use while preserving its historic form. Today Büyük Han is a prominent cultural and tourism venue. Its rooms and surrounding spaces accommodate art galleries, craft workshops, cafés, restaurants, and souvenir shops. The Evkaf Administration has used tenancy agreements to require that goods sold by tenants be made by the tenants themselves, limiting the sale of externally produced merchandise. This policy has helped position the complex around locally made Cypriot handicrafts and small-scale creative work, with many tenant businesses operated by women. The site therefore combines architectural heritage, visitor hospitality, artisanal retail, and cultural programming rather than functioning as a mass-market consumer brand.

Büyük Han was constructed in Nicosia in 1572, shortly after the Ottoman conquest of Cyprus from Venice. Its original function was that of a caravanserai: a secure place where merchants could stay, trade, store goods, and rest during journeys. The building’s design belongs to the wider Ottoman caravanserai tradition and has been compared with Koza Han in Bursa. It may have replaced or incorporated an earlier structure on the site. The identity of the principal builder is not completely settled. Traditional accounts associate the project with Muzaffer Pasha, the first Ottoman governor of Cyprus. Other interpretations note that Muzaffer Pasha was appointed to Tripolitania in 1571 and attribute the construction to his successor, Sinan Pasha. A further possibility is that an architect named Bostan, sent from Constantinople to work on Cypriot fortifications, designed or built the inn. A surviving order from Sultan Selim II concerning shops demolished for the project indicates that the financial performance of the new caravanserai was an administrative concern, but it does not conclusively resolve the question of authorship. The complex was initially called Yeni Han, or “New Inn.” It was also known as Alanyalılar Hanı, reflecting its association with merchants from Alanya. When the smaller Kumarcılar Han was built nearby, the larger structure came to be known as Büyük Han, or “Great Inn.” The name has remained in use. Architecturally, the building is roughly rectangular or square, with two storeys organized around an open courtyard. There are 68 rooms across the two floors. Historically, commercial activities took place mainly on the ground floor, while the upper floor supplied accommodation. Colonnades and cross-vaulted passages surround the courtyard, and the rooms contain fireplaces with distinctive polygonal stone chimneys. Ten additional shops are located behind the eastern entrance colonnade. The courtyard mosque, a köşk mescidi, occupies the centre of the complex. Its form has parallels in Anatolian caravanserais from the medieval and early modern periods. A grave southwest of the mosque has been associated in local tradition with Muzaffer Pasha or another prominent person who died while praying. Historical interpretation is more cautious, and the claim that Muzaffer Pasha is buried there is generally treated as unverified. Büyük Han’s function changed repeatedly after the Ottoman period. Following the British takeover of Cyprus in 1878, the structure was restored and repurposed as a prison. It served as Nicosia’s central prison from 1892 until 1903, when the prison moved west of the Pedieos River. Changes to the rear shops were made around 1900 and 1901 with the permission of the Evkaf Administration. After 1903 the complex again operated as an inn until 1947. From 1947 to 1962 it housed poor families, who rented rooms at low cost. A major restoration campaign during most of the 1990s enabled Büyük Han to return to public use. The restored complex now supports galleries, workshops, cafés, restaurants, and souvenir businesses. Its management has emphasized locally produced crafts: tenancy conditions require products sold in the complex to be made by the tenants themselves, and the Evkaf Administration checks compliance. This policy has made Büyük Han a venue for traditional Cypriot handicrafts and independent artisan activity as well as a major heritage attraction in Nicosia.

• 1990

  Restoration and cultural reactivation

  [1]Büyük Hanen.wikipedia.org

  Restoration conducted through much of the 1990s prepared the complex for its present role as a heritage and arts destination.

• 1947

  Converted into low-cost housing

  [3]Converted into low-cost housingen.wikipedia.org

  The complex began serving as a refuge for poor families, with rooms available for inexpensive rent.

• 1903

  Return to inn use

  [1]Büyük Hanen.wikipedia.org

  After the prison moved to a new building, Büyük Han resumed its earlier role as an inn.

• 1892

  Opened as Nicosia central prison

  [1]Büyük Hanen.wikipedia.org

  Büyük Han became the central prison of Nicosia under British administration.

• 1878

  British administration begins

  [2]British administration beginsen.wikipedia.org

  Following the British takeover of Cyprus, the building was adapted for new administrative and penal uses.

• 1600

  Adoption of the name Büyük Han

  [1]Büyük Hanen.wikipedia.org

  The inn became known as Büyük Han after the smaller Kumarcılar Han was established nearby. Earlier names included Yeni Han and Alanyalılar Hanı.

• 1572

  Construction of the Ottoman caravanserai

  [1]Büyük Hanen.wikipedia.org

  Büyük Han was built in Nicosia after the Ottoman conquest of Cyprus, probably under the direction of Muzaffer Pasha, Sinan Pasha, or architect Bostan according to competing historical interpretations.

A restored Ottoman caravanserai positioned as a heritage, arts, crafts, and visitor destination in the historic centre of Nicosia.

• Artisan retail

  Traditional Cypriot handicrafts

  Büyük Han’s principal retail activity is the sale of traditional Cypriot handicrafts made by tenant artisans. The Evkaf Administration’s tenancy rules require goods sold in the complex to be produced by the tenants themselves and restrict externally manufactured merchandise. This gives the shops a locally made, small-scale character rather than the profile of a generic souvenir market.

• Cultural venue

  Art galleries and workshops

  Following restoration, rooms within Büyük Han were adapted for galleries and creative workshops. These spaces extend the site’s role beyond historic sightseeing by providing venues for artistic display, craft production, and demonstrations in an Ottoman architectural setting.

• Hospitality

  Courtyard cafés and restaurants

  The central courtyard contains cafés and other hospitality businesses that support the site’s visitor economy. Their setting among the arcades, vaulted rooms, and pavilion mosque makes dining part of the Büyük Han heritage experience.

• 1990

  Restoration as a cultural and visitor destinationStrategy

  Background

  After decades of changing institutional and residential uses, the historic complex required restoration to support continued public access.

  Action taken

  Restoration work during most of the 1990s adapted Büyük Han for galleries, workshops, cafés, shops, and cultural visitation while retaining its historic architecture.

  Aftermath

  The site became one of Nicosia’s principal heritage attractions and a venue for local craft and artistic activity.

  Source

• 1892

  Conversion into a central prisonStrategy

  Background

  After Cyprus came under British administration, the historic inn was assigned a new institutional function.

  Action taken

  Büyük Han was restored and used as Nicosia’s central prison until a new prison facility opened in 1903.

  Aftermath

  The building later returned to inn use and subsequently served as low-cost housing before its modern restoration.

  Source

• Tenant-made goods requirementStrategy

  Background

  Management sought to preserve the complex’s association with local production and traditional crafts.

  Action taken

  The Evkaf Administration included tenancy conditions requiring products sold in Büyük Han to be made by the tenants themselves and conducted checks for compliance.

  Aftermath

  The retail offer has remained focused on locally produced Cypriot handicrafts rather than externally manufactured souvenir goods.

  Source

1. 1Büyük Hanen.wikipedia.org
2. 2British administration beginsen.wikipedia.org
3. 3Converted into low-cost housingen.wikipedia.org