Balibey Han

Balibey Han is a three‑storey caravanserai built in the late 15th century in Bursa to meet the accommodation needs of caravans coming from outside the city to sell or purchase goods in the shops of the Covered Bazaar.

It was commissioned by Bali Bey, the son of Hamza Bey, the Sanjak Bey of Niğbolu, who was thought to be the brother of Grand Vizier Bayezid Pasha, during the reign of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror.

It is located under Hisar Gate, next to the Kırkmerdivenler, on the south side of the Okçu Baba Tomb. The 64‑room building is the first three‑storey caravanserai of the Ottoman Empire.

The building, which has lost most of its original plan, has been used as a traditional handicrafts market since 2009.

History

Since its foundation stone has not been found, the construction date cannot be determined, but the work is dated to the second half of the 15th century. Its founder is Bali Bey, the son of Hamza Bey, the Sanjak Bey of Niğbolu, who was thought to be the brother of Grand Vizier Bayezid Pasha and nicknamed the “Conqueror of İzmir”.

Ottoman intra‑city caravanserais were generally two‑storey buildings, but Bali Bey Han was built with a three‑storey arrangement in the second half of the 15th century. It is significant for being the first such multi‑storey application of its time.

In the 19th century also known as “Vasıf Pasha Han”, the work underwent a series of repairs and was used for various functions. It is known that until the early years of World War I it served as a centre where post coaches lodged and postal services were carried out.

In the 1950s some parts were used as a shelter and in the 1970s a portion of one of its courtyards was used as a coffeehouse. After the ground floor remained underground for a long time, the courtyard and ground‑floor spaces of the building were cleared of soil fill by excavation and cleaning works carried out in the 1980s.

The building, after restoration works that began in 2006, entered service in 2008 as a traditional handicrafts market.