Sultan Amir Ahmad Hammam - Kashan
Sultan Amir Ahmad Hamam is located in Kashan, Isfahan Province, it is also known as the Qasemi Bathhouse. The hammam is only few meters away from the famous Boroujerdi House. It is a traditional Iranian bathhouse which was used by it’s local populace and the travelers alike in the past.
History
The construction of this bathhouse took place in the 16th century, during the Safavid period. An earthquake in 1778 damaged this building , later renovation work was carried out during the Qajar era. This bathhouse has an area of around 1000 square meters with it’s unique design and art work it is one of the main attractions in Kashan.
The hammam has two main parts, Sarbineh (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. Inside the hammam, there is a prayer room where visitors could pray which are to be performed five times a day.
Interior
In Lung Shoi Room, visitors will dump their Lungi (a grament worn below waistline) before moving to the main part of the hammam. The Garmkhaneh not only offered hot water baths but also a splendid space to its visitors.
There were many skylights in the hammam which were offering plenty of natural light in the building. The interior of the hammam is decorated with glazed tile work and plaster work. The Dressing Hall is decorated with turquoise and gold tilework, plasterwork and the paintings.
Roof
The roof of the bathhouse is made of multiple domes which are covered with glass to allow natural light in the building. The convex glasses to provide sufficient lighting to the bathhouse but it blocks the view from outside. water wheel on the roof of hammam has two handles on each side were used to roll and then fetch water from the reservoir below. Then this water was channeled to different parts of the hammam.
The roof of the Sultan Amir Ahmad Hammam offers breathtaking views of Kashan.
