Kerman Things to Do

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Accessed through a caravanserai seemingly undergoing restoration, resplendent in turqoise tilework, and for which no entry fee was required.

As with churches and cathedrals in Europe, mosques must be selected carefully for viweing, otherwise one will soon become 'all mosqued out' (well, those of us without an academic interest in the architectural intricacies, and who just like to get the 'vibe' or 'feel' of the place.

This particular mosque rewards the effort, and does not disappoint. The prayer hall is small, and its decoration, including calligraphy, plaster stuccoes and tile-work is both fine and beautiful.

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What Iran is lacking in functioning historic bathhouses, it sure makes up with in museums!

Kerman's contribution the the genre is the Hammam e Ganj Ali Khan, which, perhaps predictably is accessed off the Ganj Ali Khan bazaar. Entrance fee 5000IR.

The various domed chambers were replete with very fine painted tile-work, and around the pools (which were often furnished with goldfish!) were wax dummies illustrating the bathing process.

It was here that we met the 'Philosopher', a voluble gent who asked questions about the nature of destiny and eternity, well eternally.

The hammam is part of a complex of buildings servicing the trading function of the bazaar.

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The museum, in Qajar-era building set around an attractive courtyard. Works by local artist Sayyed Ali Akhbar Sanati, known for his expertise in stone inlay, might be worth a look. Admission IR4,000 (May 2008).

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It is worth visiting this library because the inside and outside are a particularly harmonious example of Qajar-era architecture. Insdie has a forest of columns supporting vaulted ceilings, that this was once a textile factory.

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The attractive Moshtari-ye MAshtaq Ali-Shah (at Shohada Sq) mausoleum to a renowned Sifi mystic, dates back to Qajar period, although some parts of the structure are from the Mongol era. The stuccowork and the blue-and white-tiled roofs are beautiful.

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The well-preserved and restored Jameh Mosque (off Shohada Sq) sites besides the bazzar worths visiting. With its four iwans (rectangular halls opening into a courtyard) and shimmering blue tiles, it was built in 1349 and extensively modernised during the Safavid period and later

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Hamum-e Ganj Ali Khan was once Kerman's most important bathhouse but now has restored to be a muesum. There are collection of wax dummies illustrating the workings of a traditional bathhouse. The bathhouse was original built for Ganj Ali Khan, the governor of Kerman in 1631. The entrance is opposite to the Ganj Ali Khan courtyard. Admission: IR5,000 (May 2008)

for the tourists who love to travel in past Kerman should be the base camp site, the ancient castle (arg-i-bam qadeem) is destroyed due to last year's earthquake but still there is new one and remnants of old one is almost 1:30 hours by taxi from kerman. And Kerman itself is a place to see. Jame-i-Masjid (mosque), Hammam Gajali Khan (public bath), Jabal-i-sung (stone mountain), shrine of sheikh nemat ullah, remnants of shahzade garden are few of the places which will attract.
most of the historical buidings built in the era or Ganjali Khan, who was one of the governer of city. Out of Ganjali Khan complex, the Khan public bath located in the grand bazaar of Kerman serves as an anthropology museum today and attracts an increasing number of Iranian and foreign tourists. This is a unique work of architecture with beautiful tile works, paintings, stuccos, and arches.

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Tohid Square has an interesting Monument, whiuch looks like a bit of the AzadiMonument in Tehren. It marks the entrance of the Bazar-e Vakil.

Bazar-e-Vakil runs between Tohid Sq and the Jameh Masque. The whole bazaar is about 1 KM long. Although it is not a very big bazaar, but it is a tatse of markets in the eastern Iran.