The Merchant Houses of Kashan

My first stop south was a small town called Kashan. I really wanted to see the textile craftsmen here, who are experiencing a kind of revival. But in the end, they didn't captivate me as much as these wonderful 19th century merchant houses. Totally fascinating! From the outside, they are simple doors, like all the other houses. None of these houses are built higher than the others, and you don't expect anything special when you enter. But what a surprise! Incredible facilities, basically palaces. With multiple courtyards and floors. The trick is that they were built into the ground so as not to stand out from the city's row of houses. Most of them had four courtyards: one for the family, the most beautiful one for business transactions, one for guests, and one for the servants. An incredibly intricate splendor and beauty hidden behind simple wooden doors.

Equally stunning is the Sultan's bath.... Oriental bathing culture is legendary, as are the baths themselves. Beautiful buildings with many niches and angles for resting, retreating, and conversing. The baths had a high social function. Women were chosen for sons, business was discussed, news was spread, and gossip was exchanged.

But what I will never forget is the visit to the doll and toy museum. A passionate puppet player and collector has set up a small, very charming museum. When I said that I had also been a puppet player for 11 years, he immediately invited me to participate in a children's event in the afternoon. I couldn't miss that. What touched me very much were the children and mothers. Wherever you are in the world, this relationship is universal. They may look different, speak a different language, wear different clothes, and have different customs and traditions - but the bond between mother and child is the same everywhere. That really touched my heart.

After one last excellent street coffee, I left this small, inconspicuous town richly blessed towards my dream destination.