Ganj-Ali Bath
Ganj-Ali Khan Historical Complex, including a spectacular bathhouse with the same name, is one of the most beautiful historical sites in Iran’s south-eastern Kerman province.
This Safavid-era building complex, located in the old centre of Kerman, is composed of a school, a square, a caravanserai, a bathhouse, an Ab Anbar (water reservoir), a mint, a mosque and a bazaar.
This bath has been decoratively adorned with arches, tile and plaster work and also paintings. The entrance of this bath has been artistically painted with ornaments of the Safavid era. The most interesting feature of its architectural finish is that the sculptured stones of the ceiling coincides with that of the flooring. The cloak room of the bath has been divided into six sections and each pertains to a special category of society or guild. Currently in each one of these sections, two statues portray this scene. The main bath comprises of a cold water pool with a ceiling similar to that of a tent supported by eight beautiful pillars. Its water inlets and fountains of the bath have been so meticulously designed that its strange phenomena is astonishing.
Baths are included among the inseparable part of city’s building and are the main and important parts of Islamic cities and villages. The bathhouse was converted into an anthropological museum in 1971.
Shazdeh Garden
Shazdeh Garden meaning Prince’s Garden is a historical Persian garden located near (6km away from) Mahan in Kerman province, Iran. The garden is a fine example of Persian gardens that take advantage of suitable natural climate. Built in the traditional style in the late 1900s, the Garden consists of pools in a terraced fashion. Its location was selected strategically as it was placed on the way between the Bam Citadel and Kerman.
Water fountains can be seen over the land flowing from the upper ends toward lower ends on a water cascade style at Shazdeh Garden. These fountains look very beautiful and have been provided impetus by the natural incline of the place. The clever use of the natural climate of the land can be seen in this garden which is the primary aspect of every Persian garden. Other than the main residential building, at its entrance the Garden also consists of a two-storied building for which the second floor was used as living quarters and for receiving guests. Other smaller utility rooms are situated along the sides of the Garden. Amongst them a few side entrances also connect the Garden to the outside.
In 2005 experts of the Research Center for Historical Sites and Structures were preparing documents to register Shazdeh Garden, amongst other gardens, on the UNESCO World Heritage List and the Garden was finally inscribed in June of 2011.
