The Impact of Drought on History: The Re-emergence of Altınapa Han
The drought that has been effective in our country and especially in Konya has caused serious drops in dam levels. One of these dams, Altınapa Dam, plays an important role in meeting the need for drinking water. Altınapa Dam, which has experienced similar withdrawals in previous years, has caused the 823-year-old Seljuk inn, Altınapa Inn, to resurface with the dry summer months this year. The historical inn has been frequently submerged and revisited due to drought and low rainfall in recent years.
It Was Submerged in the 1950s
The Altınapa Dam, built on the Meram Stream in the 1950s for irrigation and drinking water supply, caused the Altınapa Inn, built during the Anatolian Seljuk period, to be submerged after it became operational. This historical inn, forgotten over time, resurfaced 20 years ago when the waters receded due to decreasing rainfall. When the waters of the Altınapa Dam, built on the Meram Stream in Konya in 1950 to provide drinking water and irrigate the surrounding lands, rose, the 823-year-old Seljuk Inn Altınapa Inn was completely submerged. However, when the dam waters receded due to dry weather and decreased rainfall, Altınapa Inn became visible again and history gushed out.
One of the Oldest Artifacts of the Seljuk Period
Prof. Dr. Ahmet Çaycı, a faculty member at the Department of Art History at Necmettin Erbakan University, stated that the Altınapa Inn is among the oldest works of the Seljuk period and emphasized that the work has a deep-rooted history. Stating that the work has served people for hundreds of years due to its location, Çaycı said, “The Altınapa Inn, located on the second stage of Konya’s road route opening to the west, is one of the early works of the Seljuk period. This inn is also mentioned in a foundation deed of Altınapa. The foundation deed dates it to 1201. It is possible to date the construction of the inn back to an earlier date. It has a very strategic location as it is located at the intersection of the. Beyşehir and Doğanhisar junction after Konya. It is an important stopping point.”
Prof. Dr. Çaycı stated that Altınapa Inn can be easily noticed when the water levels drop at the dam location on the Konya-Beyşehir highway and added: “Directly proportional to the amount of rainfall the region receives, the inn occasionally appears or is submerged. Although it appears To be standing, the structure has no static strength. For this reason, the inn needs to be renovated. Otherwise, it will not be possible to preserve the structure with water and the structure has corroded. “
