Ganjali Khan Bath Kerman

Ganjali Khan Bath in Kerman

Ganjali Khan Bath (Ganjali Khan Bathhouse or Hammam-e Ganj Ali Khan) is a traditional Iranian bathhouse in Kerman city, built in 1631 Safavid era. The bathhouse is part of Ganjali Khan Complex, on the southern side of Ganjali square, by the order of the governor of the time Ganjali Khan. The bathhouse was turned into anthropological museum in 1971. Ganjali Khan Bathhouse is one of the main Kerman tourist attractions.

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1.    Ganjali Khan Bath History

Historical documents existing in Ganjali Khan Complex, demonstrate that the monument was built in Safavid period by Kerman’s ruler of the time. Ganjali Khan Bath House was used until the repairs started and since then it was turned to the anthropological museum.

Photo By @mostafa_alizadega on Instagram

According to the situations in Safavid dynasty, dressing rooms were divided into 6 chambers and were devoted to each special classes as clergies, merchants, tribal chiefs, rustics, Sayeds, grandness.  Shah Neshin (a room specialized for king) was included in order to divide various classes of society (rich or common people).

2.    Ganjali Khan Bath Architecture

Outstanding artists of Iran created embellishments and designs on this historical building by elegant paintings, the most rich-color tiles, lighting, stucco, arches, calligraphies, etc.

Entrance paintings and stucco of Ganjali Khan Bath House divides into two periods of which the upper part belongs to Safavid era and the lower part to the Qajarid period.

The paintings illustrate the stories of Bahram Gor, Khosrow and Shirin, the rulers in hunting, images of wild animals etc. Architectural features like sculptured stone ceiling coincide with that of the flooring. There are also friezes on which poems are carved and the last poems shows the completion date of Ganjali Khan Bath Kerman.

Ganjali Khan Bath plan consists disrobing room, hot room (hot chamber, Garmkhane), cold room, each covered with a dome carried on squinchs, reservoir, dressing room (the ceiling of the dressing room is high and stands on a few stable columns), pool, fountains, etc.

The entrance gate has an exquisite architecture; the entrance is in shape of a corridor, and the voice of water in pools caused by fountains makes a relaxing environment. Exterior view and the entrance gate is decorated with materials like indigo-color breaks and marble stone, paintings and vaults and arches.

The lighting of Ganjali Khan Bath is supported by the light-wells on the center or round the ceiling. The sun shining and its reflection on the ceiling and walls makes the bath more beautiful.

There are two inserting stones in a color similar to red in the bathhouse used as a clock, which the sun shining on the stones would estimate the time of the sunrise and sunset.

3.    Some Attributes of Ganjali Khan Bath

Polychrome tiles and mosaics with  human images, special manner of warming up the atmosphere of inside the bath, the low-height, narrow and long corridor,  water supply network, middle vestibules and gate, high height of dressing room, the quality of being anti-earthquake, the placement of the bath inside the ground which effect is reducing the vibrations, etc.

4.    Anthropological Museum

In the closet section and main yard of Ganjali Khan Bath, there are many lifelike statues, which were transferred here from Tehran University’s faculty of fine arts. The signs and mannequins are presented to describe and show how the bathing was done years ago. Hammam-e Ganj Ali Khan copper accessories are also displayed.

Ganjali Khan Bath Opening Hours

Tuesdays to Sundays 9 AM–8:30 PM

Ganjali Khan Bath Address