Cinili Bath

Cinili Bath

The Cinili Hamam is the most eminent hamam located on Itfaiye Street in Istanbul's Fatih district. It was built by Mimar Sinan during the second quarter of the 16th century to generate revenue for the Hayrettin Paşa Madrasah and its tomb. The Hamam is also called “The Zeyrek Çinili Hamam” and “The Hayrettin Paşa Hamam.” It took its present name from the İznik tiles covering its walls which have not made it to the present day. After two large fires in 1782 and 1833, it was repaired and transfered to an individual owner. The camekan of the double-bath styled Cinili Bath is not in contradiction with Classical Ottoman architecture; it is covered by a large dome.  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. A court surrounded by small individual changing rooms and covered by a dome has been established in the middle of the hamam. The changing rooms of the hamam are located upstairs and they passfrom the camekan into the ılıklık (lukewarm section) which is covered by an arched roof. Later, four keseliks, a type of bathing cabin used for exfoliating the skin, have been added to the ılıklık. From the ılıklık, one continues to the harare (hot section) through a passageway. While walking through the passageway, a bathroom covered by five domes draws the attention of visitors.There are four halvets (a very hot bathing cubicle within the bath), three sofas (halls), and a marble plinth (göbek taşı). There are also two verses, each written in Persian, on the doors of halvet.     Kese = coarse bath-glove for washing the body. Wash Cloth

Beyazıt Bath

Beyazıt Bath

The Beyazıt Hamam is located in Istanbul's Beyazit district on Ordu Street. It was built by the mother of Yavuz Sultan Selim, Hürrem Sultan, in order to provide revenue for the Mosque built in Edirne in the 15th century. It is also known as the Patrona Halil Hamamı, the bath takes its name from Patrona Halil, who was a rebel and worked for some time as a tellak (wash boy) in the Hamam. The structure has separate sections for both men and women. The entrance door of the women’s section is on Kimyager Derviş Paşa Street and the door of men’s section is on Ordu Street. One enters the men’s section from the camekan, a court surrounded by small individual changing rooms roofed by a dome. From there, one passes into the ılıklık (lukewarm section), where four bathrooms covered by small domes and a cleaning room draw the attention of visitors. There are sofas which are covered by a dome and presumably each one has three kurnas (marble basin) on both the left and right sides of the ıliklik. The harare (hot section) contains halvets roofed by domes. In addition to these, there was originally a marble plinth (göbek taşı) found in each of the four corners of the harare; however, these have not made it into our times., The women’s section of the hamam is similar to men’s section that the water well that meeted of need of water   The water well responsible for meeting the water needs of the hamam is located near the women’s section behind the Central Library of Istanbul University. The Hamam was closed in the 1930s and has been used as a warehouse. While it was being used for storage, it was damaged due to careless maintenance and remained as such for several years. It now belongs to Istanbul University and is being repaired with the utmost to restore its original aethetic beauty.

Çardaklı Bath

Çardaklı Bath

The Çardaklı Hamamı was built by Kapı Ağası Hüseyin Bey in 1503. It was first restored by Architect Omar Bin Veli and later by Mehmet Bin Uveys. After it was transfered to a signle owner in 1918, the Hamam served as a warehouse in the 1940s and was then converted into a workshop in the following years. It is also known as Küçük Ayasofya Hamamı (The Little Hagia Sophia Bath). The entrance door of the historical bath is knitted with stones. The new entrance door to the bath has been placed on the front side of the building, whereas the old entrance was located on the side.. From here, it exits onto the Camekan, a court surrounded by small individual changing rooms, which is covered by a dome. From there, one enters the ılıklık (Lukewarm section). From the ılıklık, one continues to the harare, which is the main room of the Turkish bath. In the harare, visitors are permitted to sit and sweat in the steam for as long as desired. It is roofed with a large dome. Halvets, very hot bathing cubicles within the bath, are placed on both the left and right sides of the Harare. There are also a marble plinth (göbek taşı) and three sofas which are in perfect harmony with the tradition of Classical Ottoman Bath. As for the pergola, named after the Çardaklı Hamamı, it is found on the upper floor of the Halvet located on the left side.