Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(in the southwest corner), and on the roof a series of three unusual mihrab-style niches,
the origins of which remain a mystery. To see them, ask the attendant nicely or come with
a guide.
Sanati Museum of Contemporary Artرصاعم یاهرنه یتعنص هزوم
Occupying a former orphanage, this
art museum
( 222 1882; Dr Shariati St; admis-
sion US$0.50; 9am-12.30pm & 3-5pm Tue-Sun, 5-7pm in summer)
is a pleasant sur-
prise in a town that can otherwise feel a long way from modern cultural pursuits. In a
Qajar-era building set around an attractive courtyard, the museum houses paintings, sculp-
tures and stone inlays by famous local artist Sayyed Ali Akbar Sanati (1916-2006), who
spent most of his childhood in the orphanage. It also exhibits works by younger Iranian
artists and even a bronze hand by Auguste Rodin. Not surprisingly, it's a good place to
meet open-minded young Kermanis.
MUSEUM
Yakhchal Moayediيدياعم لاچخي
The Safavid-era
Yakhchal Moayedi
(Moayedi Ice Pit; Abu Hamed St; 8am-1.30pm
Sat-Thu)
is a well-preserved, conical adobe structure that was used to store ice. The ice
store was, and in some part still is, surrounded by gardens. The gardens would fill with
water during winter, and when the water froze the ice would be slid into the
yakhchal
for
use in warmer months. It is now a theatre space that doubles as a tourism office, with a
few brochures.
HISTORIC BUILDING
Kerman National Libraryنامرک یلم هناخباتک
The
Kerman National Library
(Shahid Qarani St; 7am-9pm Sat-Wed, to 8pm Thu,
closed Fri)
modestly bills itself as the 'greatest informatic research centre in the country',
but for non-Farsi speakers it's the architecture - a forest of columns supporting vaulted
ceilings - that is the real attraction. Built in 1929, the style is a harmonious variation on
late-Qajar-era design that was purpose built as...a textile factory.
HISTORIC BUILDING
MUSEUM
Bagh-e Harandi
Hidden behind high walls just off the main Beheshti strip, the mansion in this peaceful
garden was once the Kerman governor's residence and now houses the small but well ex-
plained
Archaeology Museum
and
Traditional Musical Instruments Museum
(
admis-
sion each US$0.40; 9am-5pm Tue-Sun)
. Built in 1911, the building was later bought
by progressive businessman Abol Ghasem Harandi, who brought electricity to Kerman.
On his death Harandi bequeathed the garden to the city. The upstairs Archaeology Mu-
