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Abbasian House - Kashan

History of the Abbasian House

The Abbasian House of Kashan is locally known as the Khane-e Abbasi. This historical house in Kashan is not only one of the best tourist attractions but also it offers local dining experience in one of its’ courtyards. Other historical houses in Kashan are Khane Ameriha, Khane Borujerdi and Khane Tabatabai. 

A corridor from the street brings to this space, which has few small rooms built around it. The Abbasian was built in the late 18th century by a wealthy merchant known as Abbasi. The Abbasi house has six courtyards, surrounded by rooms, iwans and galleries or a complex of six buildings spread over several levels. Plaster reliefs are used to enhance the beauty of this building, high portico and reception halls are decorated with the plaster also.

Entrance of the Abbasain House from the street
Entrance of the Abbasain House from the street
A street is being laid out in front of the Abbasian House in Kashan
A covered corridor leads into the building
A covered corridor leads into the building
Corridor from the street brings to this space, which has few small rooms built around it
Ceiling of the ticket office area
Ceiling of the ticket office area
The Abbasian offers local dining experience in one of its' courtyards
The Abbasi House is one of the few traditional historical house located in Kashan
The Abbasi House is one of the few traditional historical house located in Kashan
The Abbasian was built in the late 18th century
Abbasi was a wealthy glass merchant who built this gigantic house
Abbasi was a wealthy glass merchant who built this gigantic house
Decorations of the Abbasi House are one of the finest in details
Decorations of the Abbasi House are one of the finest in details
This is the Pool House Yard (the Pool Courtyard) of the house
This is the Pool House Yard (the Pool Courtyard) of the house
This room is built beside the Pool House Yard and it is decorated with the stained glass
Skylight above the pool, it allows the natural light into the house
I took a flight to stairs and looked down at the small yard of the pool below
I took a flight to stairs and looked down at the small yard of the pool below
A very basic washroom of the house but very handy for the 18th century

A Functioning House in the Past

Some renovation work was being carried out when I visited this historical house. Most parts of the house were already finished but there was still some work needs to be done. Winter rooms are built around a courtyard. These rooms are smaller in size and have less air circulation in order to keep the heat inside the house. 

Stairs lead to Khazane which was used to keep the valuables of the house and also an escape tunnel. The upper level of the outer courtyard was used for customers and guests of the Abbasi family. The grand domed porch in the centre was used for receiving the family’s most important guests. A room with the elegant five-doors, on the upper level was reserved for the ladies of the house.

Central courtyard of the Abbasi House, seen from the upper level
Central courtyard of the Abbasi House, seen from the upper level
Winter rooms are built around this courtyard
Winter rooms are built around this courtyard
Renovation work was being carried out inside the Abbasian House
Renovation work was being carried out inside the Abbasian House
Most parts of the house were already finished
Most parts of the house were already finished
Ladies prayer room of the Abbasian House
Ladies prayer room of the Abbasian House
These stairs lead to Khazane
These stairs lead to Khazane
Floral motif on the walls of the Abbasian House Kashan
Floral motif on the walls of the Abbasian House Kashan
Central courtyard of the Abaasian, seen from stairs of the upper level
Central courtyard of the Abaasian, seen from stairs of the upper level
The upper level of the outer courtyard
The upper level of the outer courtyard
The high portico and reception halls are decorated with the plaster
The high portico and reception halls are decorated with the plaster
Sunlight beams into the stained glass panels of the rooms
Sunlight beams into the stained glass panels of the rooms
Rooms built beside the terrace of the upper level
Rooms built beside the terrace of the upper level
Exceptionally beautiful and detailed stained-glass windows of the Abbasi House
Exceptionally beautiful and detailed stained-glass windows of the Abbasi House
Interior of the rooms, facing central courtyard
Interior of the rooms, facing central courtyard
An old fireplace, sits in one of the rooms
An old fireplace, sits in one of the rooms

In the Persian culture, water is very important and nearly every historical building has one or more pools and the Abbasian was no exception. Baadgeers (the wind catcher) of the Abbasian House allow wind from it’s high towers into this part of the building. The wind would travel all the way to the bottom of the tower and then it was channeled through small openings. 

Kashan was a wealthy city in past and this house justifies this claim. Traders would come to this city along the Silk Route and knowledge and wealth would change hands in Kashan. Currently, this historical house on the list of Iran’s Cultural Heritage Organisation.

The grand domed porch of the Abbasian House - Kashan
The grand domed porch of the Abbasian House - Kashan
One of the pools of the Abbasi House
One of the pools of the Abbasi House
The Abbasian House Kashan
The Abbasian House Kashan
A beautiful ceiling beside the wintry rooms of the complex
A beautiful ceiling beside the wintry rooms of the complex
Opening in the ceiling allows daylight into the rooms but not direct sunlight
Opening in the ceiling allows daylight into the rooms but not direct sunlight
Colourful glass was used in these rooms too, but to a lesser extent
Colourful glass was used in these rooms too, but to a lesser extent
Here, workers(to the left) can be seen busy in renovating this historical house
Here, workers(to the left) can be seen busy in renovating this historical house
Baadgeer (the wind catcher) of the Abbasian House
Baadgeer (the wind catcher) of the Abbasian House
Decorated ceiling of the baadgeer
Decorated ceiling of the baadgeer
Holes at the bottom allow air into the house from badgir
Holes at the bottom allow air into the house from baadgir
Facade of the Abbasian House in Kashan
Facade of the Abbasian House in Kashan
Kitchen of the Abbasi House
Kitchen of the Abbasi House
This is where all the cooking of the house would have taken place in the past
This is where all the cooking of the house would have taken place in the past
This part of the Abbasian( towards the Alavi Street ) was still in ruins
This part of the Abbasian( towards the Alavi Street ) was still in ruins
Ruins (yet to be renovated) seen from the Alavi Street
Ruins (yet to be renovated) seen from the Alavi Street