Turkish Baths In Budapest
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Turkish baths in Budapest, according to tradition, are representations of the Universe.
Hungary's wealth of thermal waters is also significant in the world, and it is no coincidence that the Turks, famous for their spa culture, loved it so much. During the 150-year Turkish subjugation, 75 Turkish baths were allegedly built in the country. Of these, only 5 remain today, which are also suitable for bathing, although three of them are currently not in operation.
Turkish baths in Hungary can be classified into two large groups. One group is the Hamman-style thermal baths, known as ilidza or kaplidza and the other group is the steam baths. Both baths were designed and built in a similar way. The first room is the hall, which the Turks called camekán. This part of the bath also played the role of a dressing room, so it was necessary to pay attention to whether it was prepared for use by women or men, or whether it was used alternately by both sexes.
From the bath hall, narrow doors led to the second room, which the Turks called sogukluk. Rooms and benches were often built along the walls. Since this room was already used for washing, it was no longer illuminated by facade windows, but by hexagonal skylights on the top of the room covered with small domes or turtle vaults. The water flowed from the wall wells, and in front of them there were decorative wash basins carved out of stone.
The third and most important part of the bathhouse is the actual bathing area of the Muslim border. In the middle of it was the usually octagonal, less often round, multi-stepped pool. With the end of Turkish rule, the spa buildings were converted and used for various purposes for a while longer.
After the 19th century, most of them collapsed or were condemned to demolition. This is why experts hold the remaining Turkish period buildings in Buda in high esteem. Now we introduce you to two of the Budapest based Turkish baths which you can still visit during your Erasmus journey.
RUDAS BATH
According to research, there was a bath on the Döbrentei square as early as the 13th century, which was rebuilt by Buda Pasha Ali in 1556 and then by Mustafa Szokollu. At the time, it was called the Green Pillar Spa, because one of the eight pillars supporting the vault above the spa pool was green.
An Ottoman-Turkish world traveler who lived in the 17th century wrote about the spa: "Around this large pool, under the eight arches, there are eight Hanefi wash basins. There are also charming, clean and spotless masseurs who wrap their white bodies in indigo blue towels. In the booths they are at the service of bathers and clean them according to their wishes..."
VELI BEJ BATH
This venerable Turkish bath is something old and something new combined. Built in the 16th century, Veli Bej was the most beautiful bath of its time, and the original walls and pipes are on display today in the modern building. It's never really that busy here, and since it's accessible from a hospital, many come here to heal. No outdoor pools.
The spa, leftover from Turkish times, operates on the grounds of the Buda Irgalmasrendi Hospital. The traditional Turkish bath section consists of 5 pools: the octagonal, 36-38 degree central pool and around it four other small pools of different temperatures in four independent bathing booths.
Nora, OLS Community Manager – Hungarian