Khan Bathhouse turns into traditional restaurant

Khan Bathhouse (Hammam-e Khan), a Qajar-era (1789–1925) public bathhouse in Sanandaj, western province of Kordestan, has been repurposed into a traditional restaurant.

Aimed at achieving higher productivity and better maintenance, Khan Bathhouse has undergone some rehabilitation works and is ready to be reopened as a traditional restaurant

Built in 1805 by the order of the governor of Kordestan, Amanollah Khan Ardalan, the bathhouse has very prominent decorations of seven-color tiles with various hunting, animal, plants, and geometric designs.  

Bathhouses or ‘hammams’ in Iran were not only places for bathing and cleaning up. They had a social concept for people who gathered at these places weekly.

It was a place where people talked with each other about their daily life and shared humor and news. There are still bathhouses in Iranian cities but they do not have their social function anymore since most people have bathrooms in their homes due to the modern lifestyle.

Some cities had separate bathhouses for men and women. They were usually built next to each other. However, there were some bathhouses, which were used by men and women at different times of the day.

MM/FM