Reviving historical bathhouses in Rasht to help develop tourism
In the city of Rasht, the capital of Gilan Province, there are several historical bathhouses that have been abandoned. Repurposing these historical bathhouses and focusing on their anthropological approach can help develop tourism in the area.
In the not-so-distant past, the most significant feature of each neighborhood was the presence of one or more public buildings, with mosques and bathhouses being the most important. They were usually constructed in close proximity to each other. According to the travelogue of Mirza Ibrahim, Rasht had 17 public baths around the year 1859. A map of Rasht drawn in 1877 indicates that there were 18 public baths in the city at that time.
Upon examining the oldest map of Rasht, it becomes evident that there were several public bathhouses located in the city center. Two were situated at the beginning of Sa’adi and Shariati streets. Additionally, two bathhouses were found near the Sabzeh Meydan Square, with one of them being demolished and replaced by a commercial store. The Kiab Bathhouse was later renamed Roshan Bathhouse, and continued its operations. The Golzar Bathhouse in the Pirsara neighborhood, the Sajadian Bathhouse in the Baqerabad neighborhood, the Shahriar Bathhouse in Rasht Bazaar, and the remnants of a bathhouse in the Aliabad neighborhood are among the oldest in Rasht, ISNA wrote.
Between 1911 and 1921, public bathhouses were closed due to being considered unhygienic, and some were transformed into private bathhouses. Historically, bathhouses were heated using firewood, but as oil, diesel, and gas became available, the fuel source for them evolved.
In 1921, Rasht was home to 10 public bathhouses as per historical maps. Presently, several historic bathhouses in Rasht have garnered the attention of the Cultural Heritage Organization of Gilan Province due to their age, with some designated as national treasures. Although the Haj Agha Bozorg Bathhouse in Afkharay neighborhood was initially recognized as a national heritage site, it was later delisted due to owner dissatisfaction and a legal complaint. The Haj Agha Bozorg Bathhouse remains the only one with an active men’s section. Public bathhouses not only promoted physical cleanliness but also catered to the well-being of the mind.
Dr. Seyyed Hashem Moosavi, an anthropologist and faculty member at the University of Gilan, said, “The most overlooked function of public bathhouses was their role in bringing joy and promoting mental health.”
He added that studying the bathing customs of the past reveals that bathhouses were a central hub for people’s recreation, leading to the organization of various ceremonies within their walls. Events such as bridal baths, baby showers, and even rituals to help bereaved families cope with grief were integral parts of the ancient bathing culture.
The anthropologist referred to the medical uses of old bathhouses and said, “Part of our medical history is hidden in these very public baths. The practices of wet cupping therapy, relieving muscle stiffness, or therapeutic massages performed in baths have been neglected. In my opinion, reviving old bathhouses could reintroduce some of their joyous functions and their psychological effects to society.”