Süleymaniye Hamam

The Süleymaniye Hamam is a historic Turkish bath (hamam) in Istanbul, Turkey, that forms part of the Süleymaniye Mosque complex. The building, on a hill facing the Golden Horn, was built in 1557 by Turkish architect, Mimar Sinan, and was named for his patron, Süleyman the Magnificent, who had commissioned it. It was sometimes called the 'metalworkers' bath' because many workers from the nearby foundries used to frequent it.[1]

Interior of Süleymaniye Hamam

The building is arched and domed, with elaborate marble inlay on the walls. The Sülemaniye Hamam is a traditional bathhouse consisting of three sections: cold, lukewarm and hot. Temperatures in the hot section can reach 40–60 °C (104–140 °F) degrees. A private cubicle said to have been used by Sinan when he lived near the mosque complex from 1557 to 1588 is still preserved. Another private cubicle reserved for the sultan was later used for high-ranking theological scholars.[1]

Contemporary use

In 2001, the hamam was restored to cater for tourists.[2] It is the only hamam in Istanbul where men and women bathe together, something that would never have happened in the past. Male attendants, called tellak, look after all the clients,[3] again something that would never have happened in the past.

  • Entrance to Süleymaniye Hamam
    Entrance to Süleymaniye Hamam
  • Rooftop view of the hamam and its domes
    Rooftop view of the hamam and its domes

References
  1. Yılmazkaya, Orhan (2006). Turkish Baths: A Guide to the Historic Turkish Baths of Istanbul (3rd ed.). Istanbul: Çitlembik. pp. 79–80. ISBN 9756663804.
  2. "History of Suleymaniye Hamam". Süleymaniye Hamam. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  3. Dravid, Supriya (25 March 2009). "Turkish delight". India Today. Retrieved 23 August 2022.

41.0159°N 28.9658°E / 41.0159; 28.9658

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