Kashan Attractions

Kashan, the City of Civilizations

Kashan is a city in the north of Isfahan and one of the most ancient cities in this province. Tepe Sialk in Kashan indicates a trace of a civilization that dates back to several hundred thousand years before Christ. Kashan has never been the capital of Iran, but throughout history, especially around the post-Islamic era, it has been one of the important commercial centers of this land. Kashan is famous as Dar al-Momenin, the city of historic houses and the land of poisonous scorpions. These were just a few of the features of this ancient city.

Amazing Attractions in Kashan

Among the many attractions in Kashan, Boroujerdi, and Tabatabai historic houses, the world-famous Fin Garden Complex, Fin Bath House, Agha Bozorg Mosque, Sultan Amir Ahmad Bath House, and the Traditional Bazaar of this city are the most famous and unique attractions. These cultural heritages of Kashan are why tourists put this city among the top cities in Iran to visit.

Boroujerdi Historic House, the House of Love

Boroujerdi House, which dates back to about 150 years ago (during the reign of Nasser al-Din Shah Qajar), is one of the best examples of Iranian houses in Kashan. What makes this house different from other houses is the use of various decorative arts such as plasterwork, Karbandi (old geometric patterns in Kashan architecture), numerous paintings, and the love story behind the construction of the Boroujerdi house. The paintings inside this building mainly express stories with romantic themes. Accordingly, these stories are about love interests in the literature and history of Iran. Among these stories, we can mention the story of Khosrow and Shirin, Yousef and Zuleikha, and Pir Sanan. This house belonged to Hassan Natanzi, who fell in love with the daughter of Seyed Jafar Tabatabai. When he asked her father for her hand in marriage, Jafar Tabatabai accepted his request on one condition: to build a house worthy of his daughter, Mahrokh Sultan. Hassan accepted this condition. After 18 years and the completion of the construction of this house, Seyyed Jafar Tabatabai stayed true to his word. Notably, the windbreaker of the summer part of this house is one of the symbols of Kashan.

The Grand House of Tabatabai

Tabatabai House is another one of the unique houses in Kashan. The house was built 190 years ago, about 40 years before the Boroujerdi House. This house has three main sections, which include the inner, outer, and maid sections. Overall, the house occupies a space of 4730 meters. Tabatabai House is about 6 meters lower than the city’s passage level. This type of architecture (Sunken Courtyard architecture) helps cool the house. Also, it makes it more resistant to earthquakes. This house also has summer and winter spaces. The summer space, for its windbreaker, was considered a pleasant living space. The winter space with expansive windows and a fireplace was located in the part that received the most natural light.

Fin, a Pleasant Garden Complex

The world-famous Fin Garden Complex is located in the most pleasant (weather-wise) part of Kashan. The Fin Garden that we see today was originally built by order of Shah Abbas I of the Safavid dynasty. Before that, there was another garden downtown called the Shah’s Garden. Some attribute the construction of the old garden to the mythical king Jamshid. Historically, the Buyid kings were the first to build a garden in this area. Due to the earthquakes and also the passage of time, the Shah’s garden was destroyed. That is why, Shah Abbas, the Great ordered the construction of a garden closer to the Sulaimaniyah spring.

In the middle of this garden as a perfect example of a Persian Garden, a Safavid pavilion, can be seen. During the later eras, especially during the Qajar era, they added several areas to the garden. One of these extensions was a northwestern space with unique decorations. This space was added by order of Fath Ali Shah Qajar, who was much interested in this garden. The Fin Garden has witnessed several royal events and celebrations, including the death of Shah Safi, the coronation of Shah Abbas II, and the tragic death of Mirza Abolghasem Ghaem Magham Farhani (known as Amir Kabir and a competent Qajar minister). Accordingly, they murdered him in the bathhouse inside this garden.

A Special Mosque, Known as Agha Bozorg Mosque

Agha Bozorg Mosque is one of the significant mosques in Kashan. The eco-friendly architecture (Sunken Courtyard architecture) of this mosque and the existence of a windbreaker are what make this mosque different from other mosques in Iran. This four-story building was built by order of Khanban, the father-in-law of Mullah Naraqi, to teach the way of this honorable man. The courtyard of the mosque is located on the lower ground floor. This courtyard has 12 rooms and dorms for the theology students to keep up with their education. The two-shell dome and the minarets of the Agha Bozorg Mosque were once among the tallest old monuments in Kashan. Today, this mosque is a place for the studies of science, culture, and religion.  Many tourists come here every year to visit the Agha Bozorg Mosque.

Amir Bath House

Sultan Amir Ahmad Bath House is one of the best examples of Safavid Bath Houses. The antiquity of this Bath House dates back to 500 years ago. However, the current buildings and decorations date back to the Qajar era. The Bath House had two sections, large and small, which allowed men and women to use the bath at the same hours. Since the Bath Houses were not just a place to bathe, different sections in them were a necessity. In addition to bathing, people gathered here to talk, eat, or even participate in celebrations such as celebrating someone who has recently given birth. Various decorations such as tiling and Rasmi-Bandi (traditional architecture of ceilings) are the unique and beautiful features of this Bath House. Sultan Amir Ahmad Bath House is built lower than the city’s passage level. There are two reasons behind this type of architecture. One is maintaining the temperature of the bath, and the other is the better flow of water.

Bazaar, the Beating Heart of the City

The Bazaar of Kashan is the commercial center of the city and the center of social and political changes. These changes include the significant effects on revolutions, movements, and even mourning ceremonies. Rasteh, Chahar sooqs, Sarahs, and Timchehs are inseparable elements of this Bazaar, each of which has a story to tell. One of the most beautiful parts of this Bazaar is Timcheh Amin Al-Dawlah. This Timcheh’s beautiful Karbandi (old geometric patterns in Kashan architecture) dazzle the eyes of its visitors.

Seeing is believing

The city of Kashan, with all its beauties, cannot be fully portrayed through words. Therefore, this city should be seen and touched from up close for an outmost opportunity of experiencing its sights and beauties.