Medical Hydrology and Balneology: Environmental Aspects

Spatio-cultural sustainability of turkish baths in
modern thermal cure complexes
Cekirge N (1)
(1) Okan University, Istanbul, Turkey
nevin.cekirge@okan.edu.tr
Introduction and Objectives
Human beings have always given importance to “Baths” used for bathing and
cleaning as well as curing purposes with thermal and mineral water resources.
Architectural development of these buildings differs from each other in terms of
socio-cultural and architectural features of the communities. Architecture of Baths
have been developed since 19th Century and then they have been transformed into
the “Thermal Cure Complexes” of modern times.
Turkish Bath, with its specific spatial characteristics have been developed as a
continuity of ancient bath traditions of Roman Architecture of the Antique Age and
Turkish (Seljuk) - Islamic Architecture. Turkish Bath had been developed in Anatolia
from the beginning of the 15th Century, and spread through far lands of the
Ottoman Empire. After the existence of cure complexes in Western countries,
Turkish Baths have begun to take place in those complexes.
This paper aims to highlight the spatio-cultural qualities of “ Turkish Bath” and
proposes ways to sustain these qualities in the design of “Modern Thermal Cure
Complexes”.
Materials and Methods
The architectural and spatial features of the Turkish Baths will be discussed and
their importance in the socio-cultural life will be mentioned. In addition, as an
example of their integration with thermal cure centers, the Historical Rudas Thermal
Complex in Budapest, Historical Old Spa (kaplıca) – Kervansaray Hotel Complex
in Bursa and Modern Kurmittelhaus-Turkish Bath Complex in Bad Griesbach
will be presented.
Results
Turkish Baths were/are used for bathing, body cleanness, rubbing the skin, hand
massage, sweating and inhalation. Furthermore, due to their features which increase
social communication and communal share, they are also served as a psychological
relaxing function. Turkish Bath in which thermal water is used, are also used for
thermal treatment purposes beside those functions. Main spaces in Turkish (Thermal)
Baths are Camekan (dressing, undressing-resting areas), Soğukluk (lukewarm
passing arae), Sıcaklık (warm bathing area with pool and basin-kurna) and Halvet
(sweating area).
Balnea 299
ISBN: 978-84-669-1887-0
978-84-669-3482-4
2012, núm. 6, 299-300