Islamic Architecture (continued)

VII. Bath Houses - A place to relax and bathe

A. Why were bath houses important? What happened there?

Bath houses were not merely (only) places where believers could fulfill the Islamic ideal of cleanliness. They were also places in which to socialize and gossip. Some bath houses from the Middle Ages are still in use today.

Bath houses (called "hamam" in Turkey) had both cold and hot water baths. Most bath houses were public, but some were private. In every palace there would be a bath house (as shown in the Persian miniature below). Public bath houses were always separated between men and women, either with separate facilities, or by time of day. Few people were wealthy enough to have a bath-house in their homes, so public houses were part of every community.

B. What did people wear?

People were covered either with a wrap-around towel or with below-the-knee pants like "underwear", for modesty was part of the Islamic ideal. Ibn Battuta, the famous 14th century traveler from Morocco, tells us a little about an experience in a bath house in Egypt.

"One day I entered the bath-house... and found men in it wearing no covering. This appeared a shocking thing to me, and I went to the governor and informed him of it. He told me not to leave and ordered the [owners] of the bath-houses to be brought before him. Articles were formally drawn up making them subject to penalties if any person should enter a bath without a waist-wrapper, and the governor behaved to them with the greatest severity, after which I took leave of him." [Gibb, Travels of Ibn Battuta, p. 63.]

Ibn Battuta later tells us that he visited many bath-houses in Turkey which was a courtesy offered to travelers.

Learn more about bath houses: Iranian bathhouse photograph (still being used today) The importance of bathhouses in Turkey (Turizm.Net) is described. Learn more about the social importance of the Turkish Bathhouse (by Handan'in Sayfasi).

C. What did the bath houses look like? (Architectural Features)

Turkish bathhouse in a miniature painting (painted about 1400) shows an early "hamam" or bath house for a ruler complete with hot and cold water, slaves to help the ruler bathe, and an animal to bring up the water to the hamam. Bathers have a small tub, towels and soaps. Photo courtesy of SPIRO, UCB Architectural Library. For an enlargement, press [here].

VIII. Tombs and Memorials

Muslims honored their heroes, prophets, and great leaders with tombs and memorials. In many cases, these tombs became part of a Muslim's pilgrimage - to pay respects and gain merit in heaven.

A. The burial place of the Prophet Muhammad

B. The Taj Mahal (Crown of the Palace) was built in Agra, India, for Mumtaz Mahal, the favorite wife of Shah Jahan. Considered the greatest masterpiece of Indo-Islamic architecture, it was constructed during the years 1632-1648. It is a mausoleum (a burial place, or tomb) for the wife of the Shah.

C. Muslim tombs in Turfan, China

D. Saadi's tomb in Shiraz, Iran Saadi was a popular Persian poet who lived about 1207-1291. His most famous work is "The Rose Garden", or "Gulistan".

E. See the art and architecture of the great Mausoleum of Olijeitu in Sultaniya, Iran built in the 14th century. He was sultan from 1304 - 1315.

Iransaga

F. Mausoleum in Bukhara, Uzbekistan was finished in 943 - for a Samanid leader, shown below.

G. Tomb of a woman in Isfahan, Iran Read about this interesting woman who was involved in political power struggles and was executed by her husband about 1375. It was her brother-in-law who made this monument. "This is the holy rock, built by the grand lady, Soltan Bakht Agha, daughter of Amir Khosroe-Shah. May God continue to bless her after her death".

 

IX. Architecture and Buildings (in general)

The image to the left is a Persian miniature painting, 15th century) of men working on a building. ("Construction of the Palace of Khovarnaq", attributed to Kamal ad-din Behzad.) It shows building techniques of the time. [Image from IranSaga Art Arena]

Architects and builders used scrolls like this to get their designs and "blue prints". It's from the Topkapi Museum, Istanbul, Turkey (late 15th or early 16th century).

See floor plans for buildings: Kairouan Mosque, Tunisia, the Umayyad Palace , Jordan Valley Palace, and more.

For an outstanding collection of Islamic Architecture images (arranged by country, subject, description, and historical era) visit Islamic Architecture by Thais (Italy).

Be sure to see Decoration in Isfahan, Iran with brickwork and stucco, tilework, calligraphy, and paintwork, and Realization

Go back to Islamic Architecture, Page 1 - Mosques Go to Islamic Architecture, Page 2 - Inside a Mosque Go to Islamic Architecture, Page 3 - Palaces Go to Islamic Architecture, Page 4 - Forts, Castles Go to Islamic Architecture, Page 5 - Homes Go to Islamic Architecture, Page 6 - Caravanserai You are here at Page 7: Bath Houses, Tombs, and Building