Cinili Hamam, a 500-year-old Turkish bathhouse in Istanbul's Zeyrek district, boasts a rich history from the Ottoman Empire. Commissioned by Grand Admiral Hayreddin Barbarossa and designed by architect Mimar Sinan, it featured iconic blue and white Iznik tiles. After falling into disrepair as Turkey modernized, a 13-year restoration by the Marmara Group revived it, making it a place of cleansing, relaxation, and historical reflection. Originally a luxury bathhouse, it now serves as an arts venue with an on-site museum displaying artifacts dating back to the 5th century. An art show, 'Healing Ruins,' marked the restoration's completion, featuring works by local and international artists focused on transformation. The women's section showcases Marion Verboom's sculptures, symbolizing the weight of time. Site-specific commissions, like Ezgi Turksoy's 'A Floor Talisman,' emphasize renewal and refuge. Cinili Hamam plans to reopen as a bathhouse in 2024, hosting art events in unique spaces. Preservation efforts retained historical details, including original plaster layers and floor tiles. An in-house museum provides insight into the hamam's history, systems, and Turkish bath culture.

Type of Data Point - News or Reportage

Healing Ruins explores cleansing, rebirth in a 14th century Turkish hamam

Visit page of the element - Cinili Hamam

Inserted: 24-10-2023 14:10:18