Kerman’s Mosques & Baths

Kerman’s Mosques & Baths

The province of Kerman , with an area of 181,714 sq. km., is located in southeast Iran . It is the second largest Iranian province and includes 11 percent of the country’s total landmass. The main cities of the province are Baft, Bardseer, Bam, Jiroft, Rafsanjan, Zarand, Sirjan, Shahr-e-Babak, Kerman and Kahnouj.
According to Tebyan website, the history of human settlements in Kerman dates back to the 4th millennium BC. It can be considered one of the ancient regions of Iran , as valuable historical vestiges have been found here.
With regard to natural attractions, the province boasts of thermal and mineral springs, recreational areas, verdant spaces, mountains, lakes, pools, protected areas and deserts, which make for a memorable visit.
Tourism centers can publicize the potentials of the province. Some of Kerman ’s ancient sites are as follows:
Old Mosques
Chehel-Sotoun
The mosque belonging to the Sheikhiyeh sect was completed in 1286 AH by Haj Aqa Ali Rafsanjani. It has 40 pillars, each sculptured from one piece of stone. Its surrounding areas also add to the beauty of the said mosque.

Ganj Ali Khan
This mosque is in the northeastern corner of the Ganj Ali Khan Complex of Kerman . Actually it is like a small museum, exhibiting decorative Islamic arts such as tile- and plaster-works as well as calligraphy.
This mosque was built in the year 1007 AH. Fourteen shops of the complex have been endowed to serve the mosque.
Malek (Imam Khomeini)
Completed in the 5th century AH (the Seljuk period), various portions of this mosque, especially the main platform, was built during the reign of Vakil-ol-Molk (1285 AH.). The eastern porch was repaired in last century by the late Deylamqani.
The mosque has a brick tower in the northeastern section, which was formerly in a state of ruin, but has since then been repaired. Besides, there are three altars worked in plaster.

Other Old Mosques
Other old mosques of the province include Vakil-ol-Molk Mosque, Paminar Mosque and Imam-e Zaman (PBUH) Mosque in Kerman .
Old Public Baths and Water Reservoirs
Ali Mardan Khan Water Reservoir
The historical water reservoir of Ali Mardan Khan (the offspring of Ganj Ali Khan) is in the Ganj Ali Khan complex of Kerman . Its architecture draws the viewer’s attention.
An inscription affixed there notes the date 1209 AH as the year of its construction. The entrance of the structure is worked in tile and some of the stones are sculptured.
The water reservoir, which was used to store about 2 million liters of water, includes the reservoir, air-vent, staircase, foot bath and its decorative entrance.

Ebrahim Khan Bath
This old bath is located in Ebrahim Khan Bazaar in Kerman . It consists of two sections: the cloakroom and the main bath. This bath has been utilized since 1321 AH.

Ganj Ali Khan Bath
This bath is decoratively adorned with arches, tile- and plaster-work and paintings. The entrance of this bath has been artistically painted with decorations representative of the Safavid era and its architectural works were performed by Ostad Mohammad Sultan Yazdi. The bath consists of two sections, namely cloakroom and the hot bath itself. The most interesting feature of its architecture is that the sculptured stones of the ceiling match those of the flooring.
The cloakroom of the bath has been divided into six sections and each pertains to a special category of society or trade. Currently, in each one of these sections, two statues portray a scene. The main bath comprises of a cold water pool with a ceiling resembling that of a tent supported by eight beautiful pillars. Its water inlets and fountains have been so meticulously designed that they do not fail to astonish visitors

Vakil Bath-Teahouse
Vakil Bath was constructed in a unique style in the year 1280 AH. Its architecture matches that of works belonging to the Zandiyeh-Qajar reigns. Its walls and floorings are covered with ceramic and tiles. The bath comprises of the cloakroom and the bath.
In recent decades, this historical structure has been converted into a traditional teahouse and its entrance was repaired in 1990. A section of the hot bath today houses a restaurant where provincial dishes or food is being served.

Other Baths
Other baths in Kerman province are Bagh-e-Shazdeh Bath in Mahan, Tah-e-Baq-e-Lellah and Mirza Esmail Vazir baths in Kerman city, Negar Bath in the Negar Village of Kerman and Seyyed Abbas Bath in Bam.
The province has many other attractions that will be dealt with in future.

Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque

Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque

Situated on the eastern side of Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan, Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque was constructed between 1602 to 1619 AD during the reign of the Safavid King Shah Abbas I.
According to Persi website, the monument’s architect was Mohammadreza Isfahani. He solved the problem of the difference between the direction of the Ka’bah and gateway of the building by devising a connecting vestibule between the entrance and the enclosure.
The diameter of the inner dome is 12m laid on walls with a thickness of 170cm. One of the unique characteristics of the mosque is the peacock at the center of its dome. If one stands at the entrance gate of the inner hall and looks at the center of the dome, a peacock whose tail is the sunrays coming in from the hole in the ceiling could be seen. The mosque was named after Sheikh Lotfollah, a religious leader from what is now Lebanon who was invited to Isfahan and was paid special attention by the Safavid king.

Natanz Grand Mosque in Isfahan

Natanz Grand Mosque

A view of Natanz Grand Mosque in Isfahan province. The mosque, which boasts unique architecture, has an octagonal Shabestan (nocturnal praying space) overlooking a courtyard with four porticos. (Photo by Ali Hassanpour)

Kabood or Jahanshah Mosque Tabriz

Remains of
A Great Mosque

Kabood or Jahanshah Mosque is one of the works by Abul Mozaffar Jahanshah bin Qara Yousef, a member of Qaraqoyounlu tribe, in Tabriz. It was completed in 870 AH subsequent to supervision of Jahanshah’s wife, Jan Beigum Khatoon. According to the website k.domaindlx, the glorious edifice is referred to as Mozaffarieh Building in some history books. In the first half of the 11th century AH, Turkish tourists Kateb Chalabi and Olia Chalabi visited the mosque. Moreover, in the second half of the same century French tourists Tavernier and Chardon toured the mosque.
In one of his writings, Kateb wrote: “Jahanshah Mosque’s doorway is even taller than Taq-e (Arch of) Kasra. It is an exquisite building decorated with beautiful colorful tiles. It also has high domes. The mosque is so beautiful that when you enter it you do not want to leave.“ A French tourist de la Foire in her travelogue wrote: “The city of Tabriz does not have many old edifices, but whatever remains from the past is worthy of attention. The best case is Kabood Mosque. É Unfortunately, the dome of this unique building was destroyed after an earthquake some centuries ago. Parts of the walls of the mosque have also been damaged. The mosque has a large courtyard in the center of which there is a pond.“
De la Foire recalled that Jahanshah’s incentive for building the mosque was his devotion to Shiism.
“In the unparalleled tile-works of the mosque the names of the infallible household of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) are written in different forms,“ she wrote. The floor of the edifice is made of pebbles and is indeed magnificent. It remains intact after centuries.
The mosque is square-shaped and each side of it is 16.5 meters long. Because of its large turquoise dome, the mosque was also known as Turquoise of Islam. The sad part is that after the earthquake of 1192 AH the entire ceiling of the mosque fell into ruins. The altar, which is made of marble stones, was also split in two halves. There is an annexation to the mosque in which Jahanshah Elementary School and Azarbaijan Museum are located. The annexation was built in 1958. The most important section of Azarbaijan Museum is the one that has to do with the Constitution Movement of 1906.
What catches the eye at first glimpse is the height and width of the doorway, which is not proportionate to other parts of the edifice. The height of the doorway is twice the width.