10 historic bathrooms of Iran

Iranian bathrooms were made very cleverly and had a variety of spaces fitting perfectly with its functions.
Iranian baths were built very intelligently. They built the bathrooms with convoluted corridor between corridor and the entrance of the bathroom to adjust the temperature difference of outside and inside.
The interior of the warm house was divided into several place for cleaning and pools. There were three pools; one for warm water, other for cool water and the last for latter water. Bathrooms were association place as well as the market in addition to certain operations. Important events such as henna ceremony, wedding shower, delivery, and etc. have also been done there.

Ganjali Khan Bathroom (Kerman)

One of the Ganjali Khan Monuments in Kerman is its bathroom that was built in 1020 AH, ordered by Ganjali Khan Beyk nicknamed Ganjali Khan, governor of Kerman at the time with Shah Abbas Safavi. The purpose of constructing this building was to create a recreational center in the city. All symbols of traditional architecture have been observed in Ganjali Khan Bathroom and even in some cases, attention to details could highlight the bathroom.
For example, quiet and nesting corner was embedded in the dressing room of bathroom that was a perfect place to chat, relax and even worship.
Painted carvings, mosaic and brick tile, splendid karbandy and etc. reflected the peak of architecture of Safavid era. Ganjali Khan Bathroom currently is the Museum of Anthropology and installed wax statue show the society of that time in different scenarios.

Vakil Bathroom (Kerman)

Another traditional and historic bathroom of Kerman is Vakil bath that was the first part of Vakil collection. This building was built based on Zand and Qajar architecture and by imitating the Ganjali Khan bathroom in the year 1270 AH. Beautiful ceramic tile of this bathroom, which extends from floor to ceiling made the interior of the bathroom very beautiful and splendid. In recent years, Vakil bath changed its operation to Traditional Tea House. Traditional food is served in the Sarv warm house, in addition to palatable Faloodeh Kermani that can be experienced in the bathroom.

Four Seasons Bathroom (Arak)

Another Iranian historic bathroom that has been converted into the Museum of Anthropology is Four Seasons Bathroom in Arak that is the largest bathroom in Iran. This bathroom was built in the late Qajar (Ahmad Shah) by Haji Muhammad Ibrahim khansari. A variety proficient tiles can be referred as the used decorations in the building that displays the design of human, animal, and plant. Drawings and paintings of the four seasons of the year in the four corners of the bathroom is the reason for its name. The bathroom is the only bathroom in where, a separate part is devoted to religious minorities. Four Seasons Bathroom is recorded in the National Heritage List.

Pahneh Bathroom (Semnan)

One of the historic and valuable bathrooms in Iran is Pahneh bathroom in Semnan. The bathroom is located near the grand mosque and it is built in 856 AH ordered by Khwaja Ghiyathoddin Bahram Semnani. Later, this half destroyed bathroom was revived in the time of Mozafar al-din shah Qajar. In 73 Pahneh bathroom was renovated by the cultural heritage of Semnan and changed its operation to the Museum of Anthropology. The most important thing that is kept in the bath Museum is the bones of a mother and her fetus in her belly. The age of this old bones is estimated for 4500 years. Pahneh bathroom as registered in the National Heritage List in 1353.

Safa bathroom (Qazvin)

Safa bathroom although does not change its operation or convert to a museum or restaurant or even it is not registered in the National Heritage List, but it has a lot of attraction for tourists than other traditional bath and Iranian history. Bath fun is still active and tourists experience the traditional bath in the current era. The bathroom is located on the eastern seaboard Qazvin in Mowlavi Street. All part of this traditional bathroom is made of polished and exquisite marble. Safa bathroom is made in 1259 AH by Haj Hassan bin Haji Abdullah Tabrizi.

Vakil Bathroom (Shiraz)

Vakil Bath is located at the center of Vakil collection with other buildings in the city. The bathroom is the Karimkhani era monuments and it is the best employed architecture and techniques in its era. There is a special part named Shah Neshin in Vakil bathroom that separate this bathroom from the other traditional baths. There are beautiful paintings on the ceiling that narrates the story of a local and folk religious that gave a beautiful aesthetics to the bathroom. Vakil bathroom registered in the National Heritage List with No. 917.

Khan bathroom (Yazd)

Khan bathroom of Yazd is one of the bathrooms that changed its operation to traditional tea house and restaurant and tourists can benefit from sweets and gourmet foods during visiting the monument. The bathroom is located in Khan square and alongside other components of Khan Collection in Yazd ordered by Mohammad Taghi Khan Bafghi, ruler of Yazd in 1212 AH. Khan bathroom in the year 1242 AH was rebuilt again and decorations were added to it.

Fin Bathroom (Kashan)

Fin bathroom is another "bath museum" that is located in Fin garden and it is the shambles of Amir Kabir. This bathroom consists of two large and small bathroom. Construction of small bathroom is related to the Safavid era and it has been created with the original building of the garden. By building a large bath in the time of Fath Ali Shah, the large bath was allocated to state dignitaries and VIPs of community and it was known as the Royal Bathroom. In contrast, small bathroom was recognized as crew bathroom and was used by the general population.
The remarkable thing is that both bathrooms were complete with all the traditional features and architectural landmarks. Fin Bath in 1314 was registered as national monuments; it has also been registered in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2011.

Khan bathroom (Kashan)

Another left bathroom from the collections of historical and traditional bathrooms is Khan Bathroom in Kashan that owned by Mirza Abd al-Razzagh, ruler of Kashan at that time.
This ruler worked very compassionately for construction and repairing of Kashan and has built the bathroom in 1187 AH. Khan Bathroom is now in private ownership.

Haj Shahbaz Khan Bathroom (Kermanshah)

The bathroom is for Qajar era and it is located in Modarres Street in the old space of the city. Haj Shahbaz Khan Bathroom was built in 1232 AH by Haj Shahbaz Khan, son of Manouchehr Khan Biglarbeygi, one of the political figures at that time. The bathroom has benefited from all the architecture elements of traditional bathroom. Domes in the bathroom have lime Mogharnas. Murals are another eye-catching decoration of the bathroom. Haj Shahbaz Khan Bathroom is registered in the National Heritage List with No. 20495 in 1386.