Ganjali Khan Hammam

Due to the strong emphasis in Islam on cleanliness and the necessity of purification rituals before performing religious duties like prayer, the construction and maintenance of bathhouses with specific functions and standardized systems have been a priority for many believers and even government officials. These bathhouses were often built by philanthropists and wealthy individuals, viewed as a means of earning merit for the afterlife. The overall structure of bathhouses is uniform and standardized, with the main differences lying in their shape, form, and decoration. Bathhouses were typically managed by staff and caretakers responsible for their upkeep, operating on various scales and during specific times throughout the year, usually only closing for maintenance on special occasions.

The Unique Features of Ganjali Khan Hammam

Depending on the size of the bathhouse, the services provided to the local community varied. For example, larger bathhouses had separate sections for women and men, positioned back-to-back, while smaller village bathhouses operated in two shifts, serving women and men separately from dawn until late at night.  Standard sections of traditional bathhouses included an entrance hallway, male and female changing rooms, private and public hot rooms, a vestibule between the hot rooms, a bathing pool, and a water reservoir. To heat the bathhouse and the bathing pools, firewood and wild shrubs were burned, and cold and hot water were transported through a system of interconnected vessels. This water was channeled to various parts of the bathhouse through clay pipes. The placement of water storage tanks, the furnace, and fuel storage in the center of the building allowed for easy access to all areas of the bathhouse.

History of Ganjali Khan Hammam

Ganjali Khan Bathhouse is part of the Ganjali Khan complex in Kerman, built in 1020 AH (1611 AD). Ganjali Khan, a governor of Kerman during the reign of Shah Abbas, undertook significant construction projects in the city. To create a public recreational area in the center of the city, he first established a large square. This square, over 100 meters long and 50 meters wide, is surrounded on all sides by dedicated buildings, including a school, mosque, bazaar, bathhouse, caravanserai, storage facilities, and a mint, forming an excellent collection of Safavid-era architecture. The architect was Master Sultan Mohammad Yazdi.

Architecture of the Ganjali Khan Bathhouse

Entrance of Ganjali Khan Hammam

The entrance facade of the bathhouse features two platforms on either side, adorned with elements such as simple blue bricks, a marble border, painted decorations, and intricate stucco work. The entrance displays paintings from the Safavid era, some of which were later damaged by the Qajar dynasty, leading to new paintings being applied over the original ones, which may not be related. Among these newer Qajar images are depictions of Bahram Gur, Khosrow and Shirin, kings hunting, caravans of camels, and wild animals. Below the paintings, a green marble inscription encircles the entrance, inscribed in Nastaliq script, containing poetry that dates back to 1020 AH (1611 AD). In the Safavid paintings, there is an inscription in Nastaliq script that includes a couplet indicating the completion year of the building, stating: "No one has given a sign in the world like this bath," which corresponds to the year 1020 AH in Abjad numerals. These paintings are currently undergoing restoration by the Cultural Heritage Organization.

Interior Space of the Bathhouse of Ganjali Khan

Visitors enter the bathhouse through an indirect hallway that prevents outsiders from seeing inside. Following a common design principle, we first enter the changing room. Unlike other bathhouses, this changing room is quite complex, featuring chambers with hidden corners designed for short naps, relaxation, enjoying refreshments, chatting, and sometimes even for massages or spiritual practices. In this area, there are pools with fountains that add to the beauty of the space. The ceiling is intricately designed and decorated with various tiles, marble, and mirrors. Today, this bathhouse has been transformed into a tourism museum, with the changing room adorned with towels, textiles, and various antique items related to bathing, such as basins, soap dishes, and henna stones. Wax figures of bathers and workers are placed throughout to recreate the historical atmosphere of the bathhouse.
The main bathing area features a carefully restored section for the wealthy and dignitaries, known as the "Shah Neshin." In this area, there is a notable stone called the "Hour Stone," which consists of two stones that, when illuminated by sunlight, indicated the time of day, functioning like a clock. People could determine the time for prayers based on the sun's angle. The ceilings often feature diverse and interesting frameworks that enhance the internal organization of the space, reflecting the introspective nature of traditional Iranian architecture.

Lighting of Ganjali Khan Hammam

The lighting in the bathhouse always comes from the ceiling, with skylights typically placed in the center or around the edges of the ceilings, harmonizing perfectly with the geometry of the ceilings. Below these skylights, small pools are created, adding to the beauty of the space. To prevent outsiders from seeing in, the skylights are covered with glass and barriers that block direct views while allowing light to enter. Using structures called "Molaqi," warm air from the furnace is circulated through the channels, providing heated air to the floor, similar to underfloor heating, warming the entire hot room. The furnace heats the bathing pool and the interior space, distributing warmth throughout all areas. The bathhouse features seven-colored mosaic tiles, intricate tiles, and clay tiles with human figures. The water supply network to the bathing pool, hot room, changing room, pools, and fountains, the methods of heating the air inside the bathhouse, the waterproofing of water storage tanks, the low and narrow hallways, the central vestibules and entrances, the spatial proportions of entrances and exits, the high ceilings of the changing room, the sunken design of the bathhouse, the use of qanat water, heat retention, earthquake resistance, and vibration reduction due to being built into the ground are all characteristics that made Ganjali Khan Bathhouse functional. Although the bathhouse has now been repurposed as a museum, its significance remains intact. The wax figures are crafted with exquisite detail and beauty, creating a completely natural atmosphere for visitors. If you plan to visit Kerman, be sure to stop by this historic and beautiful site. It is definitely worth the effort. We hope to welcome you to Iran soon and be good hosts for you. Looking forward to seeing you in the very near future!