Khan Bathhouse of Bastak

The Khan Bathhouse of Bastak, also known as Hammam-e Khani, is one of the most prominent historical monuments in the city of Bastak in Hormozgan Province. It stands in the city's historic quarter, close to the historic Bani Abbasi House. This valuable building dates to the Qajar period and was built on the orders of Sowlat al-Molk, then ruler of Bastak. It was originally used as the private bathhouse of the ruling family. The Khan Bathhouse is an underground bathhouse: most of the structure was built below ground, which both strengthens it and helps the interior retain its warmth in the cold seasons. The monument is registered on Iran's National Heritage List under number 2211 and today serves as the Bastak Anthropology Museum.

The architecture of the Khan Bathhouse is a fine example of the traditional architectural art of southern Iran. The building has a rectangular plan, domed ceilings and a chahartaqi style, and it has 13 domes, both small and large, whose openings in the roof let daylight into the interior. Water channels built into the walls, a water supply system fed by an eastern well and underground channels, and sections such as the sarbineh (changing hall), the garmkhaneh (hot room), the khazineh (hot pool) and the water basins all reflect the engineering and architectural knowledge of its builders. The anthropology museum inside the complex displays historical objects, traditional tools, local clothing, old Qurans, vessels, coins and historical gravestones from the region, introducing visitors to the culture and way of life of the people of Bastak.

The Khan Bathhouse is in the city centre, at the beginning of Mostafavieh Street, opposite the Mostafavieh School and on the western side of the Bastak Khan Fortress. It is easy to reach via the city's main streets. The best time to visit this historic building is autumn, winter and early spring, when Bastak's weather is more pleasant for walking around and sightseeing. When visiting the bathhouse, responsible tourism practices play an important part in protecting this valuable heritage: do not touch or damage the historic parts, keep the site clean and follow the museum's rules.