Golshan Bath

Golshan Bath (Hammam-e Golshan) is located in the city of Lahijan in Gilan Province, in the historic "Meydan" district, opposite the Jame Mosque of Lahijan and the Shrine of the Four Kings (Chahar Padeshahan). This valuable building, now registered on Iran's National Heritage List under number 1442, is a relic of the Qajar period. It was built during the reign of Fath-Ali Shah Qajar on the orders of the then governor of Lahijan. According to historical sources, the bath was built around 1239 AH (lunar Hijri), and this history has made it one of the most important examples of traditional architecture in the province.

In its heyday, Golshan Bath was one of the city's major bathhouses and had a carefully planned structure. The building had two separate dressing halls (sarbineh). The larger one, where the main entrance began, was designed for public use, while the smaller one, in a more secluded space, was used mostly by the wealthy. The architecture of the bath was built with traditional regional elements such as local red bricks, adobe, mud mortar and lime, and its numerous pools and basins provided both hot and cold water. The bath's water was drawn from a well about 10 metres deep, which shows how carefully the building was organised to meet the city's hygiene needs at that time. Over time, with urban growth, particularly the widening of South Hafez Street, parts of the dressing hall and other sections of the bath were demolished, and the 1369 (Solar Hijri) earthquake also damaged the structure. Later restorations repaired only part of this damage, so today only a portion of the original structure still stands.

To reach Golshan Bath, just head into the centre of Lahijan and go to the historic "Meydan" district. The bath stands opposite the Jame Mosque and the Shrine of the Four Kings, so it is easy to spot and easy to reach from within the city. The best time to visit is spring and early summer, when Gilan's weather is mild and pleasant, and a stroll through the old part of the city can be combined with seeing a valuable historical monument. Because part of the bath remains damaged or unrestored, visitors are advised to show proper respect for the building, avoid entering dilapidated sections, leave no litter, and refrain from writing on or damaging the walls or structures, so that this precious heritage is preserved for years to come.