Introduction Of Ganjali Khan Complex At Kerman Bazaar

By:


Ganjali Khan was a Safavid governor of the region who ordered such complex to be built at the side of the bazaar. What you see there is a square, school, bathhouse, caravansary, mosque, mint, bazaar and a water reservoir. Named after Ganjali Khan, the governor of Sistan, Kerman and Kandahar provinces, the area dates back to the time between 1596 and 1621. The Safavid King, Shah Abbas I, was ruling over Iran during that period. The architect of these structures was Mr. Mohammad Soltani, an architect form Yazd province.

Ganjali Square - Built similar to Mir Chakhmagh square in Yazd and Naqsh-e-Jahan square in Isfahan, this square is the main part of Ganjali Khan Complex and was used for ceremonies and gatherings. There are many caravansaries, bazaars and schools around this focal point.

Ganjali Bathhouse - Situated to the south of the square, it is along the main passageway of Kerman bazaar. It dates back to 1631 during the Safavid times. You can see the typical ornaments of this era on the entrance of the structure. The flooring also matches the stones sculptured into the ceiling. Various parts of the bathhouse include a cold room, a hot room and a disrobing room. Beautiful apertures and openings on cupolas of the ceilings bring in light to all these rooms. The entire structure is decorated with paintings, tiles, arches and stuccoes. This place has been converted to a museum since 1971.

Ganjali Bazaar - The south of the square contains Kerman bazaar. The architecture here has wall paintings and beautiful plasterwork. You can still see most parts of the original bazaar even after 400 years of construction. There are 16 eyvans and vaults leading to the square. What Kerman bazaar is best known for is the herb shops at a corner of it where different herbs have filled up the air with exotic aroma taken from local and imported natural substances.

Ganjali Caravansary and Mosque - The portal in the caravansary has an inscription which was made by Alireza Abbasi in 1598. There are four eyvans supporting double-storey halls around a courtyard. The courtyard contains an octagonal fountain in the middle. There is a small mosque located on one corner of the place.

Ganjali Minting House - Constructed between 1598 and 1625, the mint has beautiful decorations in the interior consisting of brickwork and ochre plasterwork. There is a tall dome with a cupola. You can see this numismatics museum here when you visit Kerman now. Coins of Sassanid, Parthian, Afsharid and Safavid eras are on display.

These are the major parts of the Ganjali Khan Complex.


About the Author:
Destination Iran offers Iran trip packages to explore this country and provides tourist visa to Iran for its travelers. Find out more at http://www.destinationiran.com/.



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


|

Loading...
Related....
Videos...

Recent UnCategorized Articles

Comments

Still can't find what you are looking for? Search for it!

Loading

Copyright 2005-2011 ArticleSnatch, LLC - All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service.