Çöllüoğlu Hanı

Çöllüoğlu Hanı is a two-story, courtyard-style caravanserai located in the Milas district of Muğla Province, built between 1719 and 1720 by Hacı Abdülaziz Ağa, son of Abdullah Efendi. The structure derives its name from Tavaslı Hacı Mehmet Çöllüoğlu, who later purchased the building. Situated in a central location in Milas, near the Belen Camii and Ağa Camii, the han has historically served as the religious, commercial, and administrative center of the city.

Çöllüoğlu Hanı is located in a central point of Milas district in Muğla Province, adjacent to the Belen Camii and Ağa Camii.

Constructed between 1719 and 1720, the building covers an area of approximately 1050–1051 m². It is a two-story, rectangular structure with a stone-paved courtyard at its center, surrounded by rooms on all sides.

The building has two entrances, one on the north and one on the south. The southern entrance is aligned with the central axis, while the northern entrance is positioned at a corner. The northern entrance is arched.

Çöllüoğlu Hanı was constructed by Hacı Abdülaziz Ağa, son of Abdullah Efendi. It later acquired its name from Tavaslı Hacı Mehmet Çöllüoğlu, who purchased the property.

Once privately owned and largely in ruins, the han was restored by the Milas Municipality.

The Çöllüoğlu Hanı Restoration Project was carried out in cooperation between the Milas Municipality and the Muğla Governorship. The restoration contract was awarded by the Milas Municipality on 11 February 2010. After completion of all legal procedures, the site was handed over to the contractor on 5 April 2010, and work commenced. The project was completed and the building reopened for use.

Çöllüoğlu Hanı consists of a central stone-paved courtyard surrounded by two-story rooms. The ground floor was designated for pack animals, while the upper floor provided accommodation for travelers.

Each room on the upper floor contains a hearth and rectangular niches built into the walls for storing belongings. These rooms open onto the courtyard through wooden galleries with posts, arranged in a forecourt style. The galleries are supported from below by pillars and turned columns.

The upper sections of the doors and double-paned windows are framed by pointed blind arches. The ground floor windows are small, designed for security and insulation against cold, while the doors are built tall to accommodate the passage of animals.

On the outer side of the northeast façade, it is noted that shops for artisans were located, with their entrances later modified. The building was constructed using stone, including some ornamental antique turned architectural blocks. The roof is covered with Turkish-style (grooved) clay tiles.