Bey Hamam

Bey Hamam is a bathing facility ( hamam ) in Thessaloniki. It stands opposite the Church of Panagia Chalkeon at the intersection of roads Mitropolitou Gennadiou, Egnatíou and ARISTOTELOUS the forum space and now serves as a cultural venue. It is considered the most important preserved hamam in Greece.

History

The bath was built a few years after the capture of Thessaloniki by the Ottomans ( 1430) in 1444 under Sultan Murad II as the first and largest of the three municipal baths. Under the name baths of Paradise hammam was in operation until 1968. It was then hired by archaeologists for the purpose of a museum experience. After the earthquake of 1978 the Ministry of Culture acquired the building and conducted a careful restoration. Since then, the building serves as a venue, such as the Thessaloniki Biennale of Contemporary Art 2009.

Plant

The bathroom consists of one men's and women's bath, one of which is decorated Männerbad larger and more complex. Both bathrooms are überkuppelt. The space of the Bey in Männerbad has a Stalaktitendekor.