A caravanserai is a roadside inn that provided travelers and their animals with shelter and food during long journeys, especially along trade routes in the Middle East and Central Asia. These establishments were crucial for merchants and caravans, offering a safe place to rest and replenish supplies. Typically, caravanserais featured a large courtyard surrounded by rooms for guests and storage for goods. They were strategically located along major trade routes, such as the Silk Road, facilitating commerce and cultural exchange between different regions and peoples.