Saksı Han

Saksı Han is located in Galata in the Beyoğlu district of Istanbul, in the area known as Perşembe Pazarı, at the junction of Mahkeme, Bekar, and Zencefil streets. Although it is not known by whom this historical structure was built since it is without an inscription dating from the 18th century, it is assumed that it is not like other Ottoman Hans found in Istanbul and dates from the Genoese, and was later converted into a trading house.

This structure which was built of cut stone and brick in a rectangular plan has no courtyard and has two floors, unlike its counterparts built according to Ottoman architecture. In this Han, which is designed in a closed-form instead of a courtyard, you can switch between rooms that open to large sofas and each other.

Today, this Han, which is used as a trading house consisting of 14 shops, is far from its historical texture and appearance with the arrangements of the district's artisans. The upper floor of the Han, where traces of the 18th century can be found more, is reached by stone stairs at the end of the corridor on the lower floor. The upper-floor windows of the Han, which has a round-arch entrance door, are pointed arched. Sawtooth-shaped brick eaves are visible from under the roof. It is said that this Han, covered with a cradle vault, was used as a court building in time, although it is not known exactly, and over time it began to serve as a Han.