“What secrets do these crumbling walls hold?” asks the stone itself of Söğütlüçeşme Hamamı. Söğütlüçeşme Hamamı also known as Abidin Bey Hamamı is now a non-functioning ruined structure in Istanbul’s Kadıköy district.
Let’s delve into its past.
Constructed in 1875 by Abidin Bey this bathhouse offered more than mere cleansing. It offered a social and cultural hub. Some suggest it catered to both men and women at different times. This added to its vibrant atmosphere. Imagine the echoes of conversations. Hear the splashing water. Envision the shared stories within its walls.
Originally the Söğütlüçeşme Hamamı complex featured parallel structures. One side housed shops. The other side contained the bathhouse. The bathhouse had distinct sections. There was a preparation area. Then came the changing room. A tepidarium followed. Finally the hot room. A water tank and furnace completed the layout.
The hot room boasted a half-dome ceiling. It was adorned with numerous “fil gözü” windows. These windows allowed natural light to flood the space. Two private chambers existed within the hot room. Each covered by its own domed ceiling.
Sadly the Söğütlüçeşme Hamamı met a disruptive fate. In 1985 it was partially demolished. This was due to the Söğütlüçeşme Train Station’s renovation. Only the tepidarium and hot room survived. The ground level rose. About six to eight feet of the structure became buried.
Today the Söğütlüçeşme Hamamı stands within a green space. It remains in a dilapidated state. It no longer functions as a bathhouse. Concrete additions and non-traditional materials mark later alterations. Some believe these changes indicate its use for other purposes. The original function of the Söğütlüçeşme Hamamı is lost.
The entrance once led to a courtyard. Shops lined the courtyard’s left side. These shops likely served various functions. They may have been for trade, accommodation or storage. The bathhouse entrance aligned with the main entrance. Preparation areas flanked the bathhouse entrance. The changing room led to a section with barbers. There was a washbasin and a toilet.
The tepidarium connected to the changing room. A dressing cubicle and two washing cubicles also existed. These may have been later additions. The hot room featured corner buttresses. Its semi-spherical dome had circular “fil gözü” openings. A concrete-covered platform marks the center. Niches once held basins and seating. The doors to the private chambers are now sealed. All interior surfaces are coated in cement. The water tank and furnace are no longer present.
Though scarred by time the Söğütlüçeşme Hamamı remains. It is a testament to Istanbul’s rich history. It is a reminder of a vibrant past. It stands as a silent witness to change.