The Queen’s Bath in Hampi is a colossal bath that exemplifies the architectural excellence prevalent during the days of the Vijayanagara Empire. It is located close to the entrance of the Royal Enclosure in Hampi.
Constructed during the reign of the Vijayanagara Empire, the Queen’s Bath impresses visitors even today, more than 500 years after it was built.
The Queen’s Bath is an elaborate structure with a simple exterior and an ornate interior. Built in the Indo-Islamic style of architecture, this striking enclosed space is designed to be unique than any other private or public bath in Hampi.
The Queen’s Bath is a rectangular building. The structure has an area of 30 square metres. A large sunken bath constructed in the centre of the structure has an area of 15 square metres and a depth of 1.8 metres. The bath is surrounded by beautiful arched corridors having pillars and projecting ornate balconies with windows.
Each arched bay surrounding the bath is decorated with intricate carved stucco ornamentation on the ceilings and the vaults placed above the arched bays. There are stone steps that lead down to the floor of the bath. However, there is no ceiling over the bath and it is open to the sky.
Hampi has an ostentatious network of aqueducts and canals that were built to provide water to the buildings, tanks, baths and temples during the ancient days. Like other public baths in Hampi the Queen’s Bath is also connected to an aqueduct for fresh water supply. The building has a moat surrounding it on all sides.
There is a bridge to cross the moat and reach the bath. It is believed that the moat was designed to prevent anyone from entering the building while the bath was in use.
Ref : https://www.karnataka.com/hampi/queens-bath