Merchants along the trade routes such as the Silk Road were in need of rest just as much, or more so, as modern travelers. Dotted throughout the ancient routes are an innumerable number of caravansaries - Silk Road inns - most in disrepair, yet others in stunning restorations. One such inn lies in the heart of Safranbolu, one of the best preserved Ottoman towns , near the Black Sea coast in Turkey. Over 60 rooms welcome guests to this town, both in the 17th century and today. As with most caravansaries in the region, a large central courtyard represents a gathering place to share stories and ideas, a component just a crucial as selling goods.