Historical Baths of Istanbul – Ottoman Hammams and Baths
Discover the Architectural Beauty of Turkish Hammams
Turkish hammams have been an essential part of Ottoman and Turkish culture for centuries. Known for their timeless architecture, many hammams date back to the 15th and 16th centuries. These historic baths are not only places for relaxation but also represent stunning examples of Ottoman and Baroque architectural styles.
Most Turkish hammams are designed with the same architectural elements as local mosques. Some feature decorative stone masonry on doors and inscriptions detailing their construction date and builder. Ottoman-style hammams typically have entrances on the front side, inspired by Seljuk baths, while Baroque-style hammams are more ornate.
Cemberlitas Hamam: A Masterpiece by Mimar Sinan
One of the most iconic hammams is the Cemberlitas Hamam, located near the Grand Bazaar and the Cemberlitas Column in Istanbul. Built in 1584 by Mimar Sinan, the chief Ottoman architect, it was commissioned by Nurbanu Sultan, mother of Selim II, to fund the Valide-i Atik Mosque in Uskudar.
The hammam boasts a stunning design:
- A large dome over the hot section (harare), supported by arches atop columns with baklava-shaped heads.
- 38 marble washing basins, separated by tulip-shaped dividers.
- Inscribed marble slabs and intricate decorative details.
Cemberlitas Hamam reflects Mimar Sinan’s peak period of artistry and is a must-see for researchers and visitors. Thousands of bathers flock to this hammam annually to experience its historical charm.
Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hamam (Roxelana’s Bath)
The Haseki Hurrem Sultan Hamam is another creation by the architect Sinan at the request of Hurrem Sultan (Roxelana). The wife of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. The hamam was operational until 1910 when it was closed for many years, then restored around 1957 and used as a carpet bazaar until 2007. It was re-opened by the Istanbul authorities as a modern Turkish bath in 2011, now being operated by the Haseki Tourism Group. The baths have separate sections for men and women and were constructed on the same axis as mirror images of each other. The cold room dome is an impressive 26 meters high. The Haseki Hurrem Sultan Hamam is located between the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia in Sultanahmet Square.
Süleymaniye Hamam
Built in 1557 by architect Sinan, the Süleymaniye Hammam is over 450 years old and is part of the Süleymaniye Mosque complex. Its interior features dramatic archways and domes and is decorated with elaborate marble inlay. The bath has a cold section (sogukluk), which is also used for dressing, and a lukewarm section to adjust your body temperature before passing to the hot baths (sicaklik).
Gedikpasa Hamam
One of the oldest in Istanbul, the Gedikpasa Hamami was built in 1475 by architect Mimar Hayrettin and is one of the most architecturally and historically important Ottoman buildings in Istanbul, just a few meters away from the Grand Bazaar. The Gedikpasa Hamami houses a ceiling above its bath covered with several small and large domes made in Horasan. Its bath is a double tub, allowing men and women to bathe in separate sections.
Kilic Ali Pasa Hamam
Of Italian origin, Kilic Ali Pasha commissioned architect Sinan to build the Kilic Ali Pasa Hamam in 1580 to serve the levends (marine forces in the Ottoman navy). The large central dome above the relaxation area is an impressive 14 meters wide and 17 meters high, making it one of the most giant single domes built by Sinan. During the Republic period, the building deteriorated and was left in bad condition. Restorations took roughly 7 years to complete and have brought the hammam back to its original glory, re-opening to the public in 2012. Kilic Ali Pasa Hamam is in the Tophane neighborhood in Istanbul’s harbor district.
Cagaloglu Hamam
The Cagaloglu Hamam is one of the later hammams built in 1741 by an unknown architect (it is believed to have been constructed by Suleyman Aga and Abdullah Aga) by order of Sultan Mahmut I to provide revenue for the library of Sultan Mahmut and the Aya Sofya Mosque. This was the last Ottoman hammams to be built in the city before their construction was forbidden by Sultan Mustafa III in 176 because of the increasing need for water and wood in Istanbul. It is located in the Cagaloglu neighborhood near the Underground Cistern.
Cinili Hamam Fatih
The double-bath styled Cinili Hamam is one of Istanbul’s Fatih district’s most distinguished hammams on Itfaiye Street. It was built by Mimar Sinan in 1546 for Barbaros Hayrettin Pasha. One of the legendary admirals in the Ottoman Naval Army. It took its present name from the İznik tiles covering its walls, of which, unfortunately, only a small number still remain. There is a pool with a fountain in the middle of the camekan, which is thought to have been a gift by the Shar of Iran. On the way to its harare visitors walk through a passageway passing an impressive bathroom covered by five domes. Another of its many unique features includes two verses each written in Persian.
Tarihi Kadirga Hamam
The Tarihi Kadirga Hamam has been a Turkish bath since 1505, built for the Egyptian Governor Yahya Pasha bin Abdulhay, a vizier of Sultan Bayezid II period. The bath caters for both men and women and is a smaller, more authentic hamam compared to the others featured. Built out of rubble stones and bricks, it has been repaired twice in 1948 and 1952.
Çardaklı Bath
The Çardaklı Bath, located in the Kadirga neighborhood near the Küçük Aya Sofya Mosque, has a rich history. Kapı Ağası Hüseyin Bey built it in 1503, and architects Omar Bin Veli and Mehmet Bin Uveys later restored it. A Byzantine inscription at the entrance suggests that builders converted the structure from an old Byzantine building into a Turkish bath.
This bath features a camekan (court) surrounded by small individual changing rooms, all covered by a dome. The main hot room, roofed by a larger dome, allows visitors to relax in the steam for as long as they desire. Designers placed halvets (private cubicles) on both the left and right sides of the harare. A göbek taşı (marble slab) and three sofas complement the traditional Ottoman style, blending perfectly with classic architectural traditions.
The Mihrimah Sultan Turkish Bath
The Mihrimah Sultan Hamam, located in Edirnekapi, forms part of the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque complex. Sinan built this double Turkish bath between 1562 and 1565 at the request of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. The structure honors his daughter, Mihrimah Sultan, one of the most powerful Ottoman princesses.
The hamam showcases a square-shaped camekan (court) area supported by twelve columns. Its hot bath room features a large dome, four halvets (very hot cubicles), and four eyvans. At its center lies a göbektaşı (octagonal marble slab), designed for relaxation and warmth.
