Kızlarağası Inn

Kızlarağası Inn

Built by Hacı Beşir Ağa the most famous Kızlarağası of the Ottoman palace in 1744, The Kızlarağası Inn is one of the most beautiful and unique example of the structures that have survived to the present day. Established on an area of 4000 square meters, Kızlarağası Inn is a magnificent two-story building with a large courtyard of approximately 600 square meters. The three gates of the inn belong to the Bakır, Çuha and Cevahir Bedestens. The ground floor of Kızlarağası Inn was used for storage and trade. Caravans that arrived to the Inn unloaded their cargo and conducted their trade. The doors of the inn were closed after dark, as in all inns. On the upper floor of the inn, there were rooms with wooden floors, stoves, niches on the wall and basements for accommodation. Today Kızlarağası Inn is hosting many small shops that sells antiques, jewelry, leather accessories, and souvenirs.

The fact that the inn was located in the most central place of Izmir, immediately near the entrance of the port, enabled the building to be used as a pier at the same time. The inn, which is extremely important in the economic life of Izmir, reached the peak of its commercial capacity in 1778 and from this date to the last quarter of the 19th century, it continued its golden period for a hundred years.

Kızlarağası Inn has survived many earthquakes and fires. In addition, the increasing filling of the sea caused it to remain in the background over time. In the 1980s, it was ruined and the upper floor was completely destroyed. During the restoration between 1988-1992, the entire building, except the north wing, was rebuilt from the foundation. The mansion mosque *, which is located in the middle of the courtyard, that reflects a tradition from Anatolian Seljuk caravanserais, has been removed. With this restoration, not only the Kızlarağası Inn, but also the vicinity around the inn has become a living space again.

Our suggestion for you is to meet the craftsmen here and listen to their stories and enjoy sipping your coffee after shopping in the courtyard of this three-hundred-year-old historical inn.

*The name given to the masjid section, which is located on four arches in the middle of the courtyard of a series of 13th century Anatolian Seljuk caravanserais, usually called Sultanhanı, was also used in the Ottoman period.