One of the first things locals of İzmir and visitors do upon arriving in the city is to stop by Kızlarağası Hanı and enjoy a cup of Turkish coffee in its courtyard. From the moment one steps through its gates, Kızlarağası Hanı transports visitors to another world. It is one of the landmarks most closely associated with İzmir and Kemeraltı, making it a defining element of the city’s identity.
Kızlarağası Hanı was commissioned by Hacı Beşir Ağa, who served as chief harem eunuch at Topkapı Palace between 1717 and 1746, and it was completed in 1745. Initially referred to as Hacı Beşir Han, over time, the han became commonly known by the title of its patron, Kızlarağası Hanı.
Located adjacent to Hisar Mosque and near to the Harbor Castle, the han once had direct access to the sea. In its early years, ships entering the inner harbor could unload their cargo directly onto the han’s dock. Similarly, caravans from distant regions could load their goods directly onto ships from the same dock. Thanks to this advantageous location, Kızlarağası Hanı quickly became one of the most preferred hans in the area, with its trade volume steadily increasing.
Kızlarağası Hanı was built in a square plan and is a prime example of classical han architecture. Like many long-distance trade hans, it was a two-story structure with 258 rooms. The courtyard, which today serves as a space for enjoying Turkish coffee, once contained a fountain and a small mosque. When the inner harbor silted up, and the han lost its direct connection to the sea, it, like other hans in the region, began to be used as office space by intermediaries, agencies, and brokers. As the nature of trade evolved, the han gradually lost this function as well. In the 20th century, it became home to artisans such as coppersmiths, metal casters, lathe operators, and quilt makers.
Having withstood several major earthquakes over the years, Kızlarağası Hanı underwent extensive restoration work in 1993. Previously in a severely dilapidated state, the han was almost entirely reconstructed and reopened in 1995. Today, it primarily houses shops catering to tourists, selling souvenirs and handicrafts. Having witnessed the destruction of many other historic hans in its vicinity, Kızlarağası Hanı carries a sense of melancholy. Yet, with thousands of visitors passing through its doors each day, it continues to serve İzmir, preserving its place in the city’s historical and cultural fabric.