Rakhtshooy Khaneh Edifice

Rakhtshooy Khaneh Edifice is one the historical monuments of Zanjan province, which dedicated to washing clothes in the past.

Rakhtshooy Khaneh means a wash-house which is located in the heart of the historical urban area of Zanjan province. It is placed in a densely residential area. People were washing their clothes at this place. Due to the cold weather in winter, Rakhtshooy Khaneh has built for the women of Zanjan province. Currently, this historical monument is known as the Zanjan Anthropological Museum.
 

•  History
   

Rakhtshooy Khaneh has constructed by Mashadi Akbar and Mashadi Esmail. Mashadi Akbar was an architect, and Mashadi Esmail was a bricklayer. The architectural style of this building dated back to the late Qajar dynastu and early Pahlavi dynasty. Using this place was free for everyone for 24 hours a day. It was public and nightlife and no money was received from citizens for using it.

• Features
   

The water of Rakhtshooy Khaneh was supplied by a Qanat. Rakhtshooy Khaneh was divided into two sections as follows: the management part and the laundry part. The management part contains a courtyard and residential zone. The laundry part contains four sections. The courtyard has an area of 400 square meters with a green landscape. The residential section has an area of 60 square meters with two rooms and an entrance gate situated on the northern side. The entrance gate connects the courtyard to the laundry part. The residential section has an area of 60 square meters with two rooms and an entrance gate situated on the northern side.
 

• The process of washing
   

People washed their clothes and the other things with soap and Acanthophyllum in Rakhtshooy Khaneh. These step ponds were designed to use the least water. Currently, you will see the flat tiled ponds. The major point of Rakhtshooy Khaneh design was the high-level sanitation. The paths and water circulation allowed maximum use of water without wasting. The washing pond for different things was chosen based on pollution levels. The nearest pond to the water supply was dedicated to drinking water and washing foodstuffs. The water was split into two parts, one poured into the second pond to washing dishes, and the other part of the water was used in the third pond to wash their clean clothes and rinse them. The water of these two ponds poured into the fourth pond to washing dirty clothes, carpet, and clothes for people with infectious diseases. Eventually, the water poured from the sewage ducts into the city's sewage. This water used for agricultural activities.
 

• Zanjan Anthropological Museum
   

Currently, Rakhtshooy Khaneh changes into an anthropological museum. The principal part of the visit is a large salon that was previously dedicated to washing. Sculptures of women during washing with local cloths and washing equipment have exhibited in this museum.
 

• Visiting Information
   

  It is better to know some information about visiting time and the payment of it.
   
  • You can visit the Rakhtshooy Khaneh Edifice from 9:00 AM till 7:30 PM.
  • Visiting the Rakhtshooy Khaneh Edifice for foreign visitors costs 150,000 IRR

• What is the best time to go?
   

Due to the mountainous climate of Zanjan province, late March until late September is the best time to visit the Rakhtshooy Khaneh Edifice.

• Getting there?
   

Rakhtshoykhaneh is placed on the downtown of Zanjan city as following address:  Rakhtshoykhaneh alley, Farhang alley, Sadi Avenue. If you want to take a taxi, you can call 133. Also, you can ride a bus and get off at the station of Zeynabiyeh Street. It is a two-minute walk from the bus station to the Rakhtshooy Khaneh Edifice.