Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse: A Traditional 16th-Century Public Bathhouse in Iran
Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse: A Traditional 16th-Century Public Bathhouse in Iran

Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse, also known as the Qasemi Bathhouse, is a traditional Iranian public bathhouse in the central city of Kashan. It was constructed in the 16th century, during the Safavid era; however, the bathhouse was damaged in 1778 as a result of an earthquake and was renovated during the Qajar era. The bathhouse […]

Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse, also known as the Qasemi Bathhouse, is a traditional Iranian public bathhouse in the central city of Kashan.

It was constructed in the 16th century, during the Safavid era; however, the bathhouse was damaged in 1778 as a result of an earthquake and was renovated during the Qajar era.

The bathhouse is named after Imamzadeh Sultan Amir Ahmad, whose mausoleum is nearby. Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse, with an area of around 1000 square meters, consists of two main parts, Sabrina (the dressing hall) and Garmkhaneh (the hot bathing hall).

Sarbineh is a large octagonal hall, which has an octagonal pool in the middle separated by 8 pillars from the outer section. There are four pillars in Garmkhaneh, which make smaller bathing rooms all around as well as the entrance section to Khazineh (final bathing room) in the middle.

The interior of the Bathhouse is decorated with turquoise and gold tilework, plasterwork, brickwork as well as artistic paintings. Most of the decorations of the Bathhouse’s interior are in the Sarbineh area. The area connecting Sarbineh and Garmkhaneh was intentionally designed with multiple turns to minimize the heat and humidity exchange between the two areas.

The roof of the bathhouse is made of multiple domes that contain convex glasses to provide sufficient lighting to the Bathhouse while concealing it from the outside.

In the past the Bathhouse has been used as a traditional teahouse; nevertheless, today it serves as an Anthropological Museum.

Source: Oruj Travel