Ottoman baths of Larissa

The Ottoman baths of Larissa (Greek: Οθωμανικά λουτρά της Λάρισας), in Ottoman times known as the Great Baths (Turkish: Büyük Hamam),[1] is a partially preserved Ottoman bath (hamam) in Larissa, Greece.

The baths are located at the junction of Eleftheriou Venizelou and Filellinon streets.[1][2] The date of its construction and its founder are unknown,[1] but may be the work of the heirs of Turahan Bey in the 15th century.[2] From 19th-century archives it is known that in the 17th century the baths belonged to the vakf of the Sheikh yahya Hamevi Kadri tekke.[1]

Originally the structure occupied the entire block,[2] but already by the time of the annexation of Thessaly into Greece in 1881, it had ceased to function as a bath and its interior had been divided into smaller shops.[1] As a result of the various uses and alterations imposed on the building, the state of preservation is poor.[1] At present, only a portion of the original building survives, in large part incorporated in the newer buildings erected there in modern times.[2] The original bath had a monumental character, as exemplified by the surviving 13 metres (43 ft) diameter dome, and comprised an elongated structure with two large domes, with rooms arranged on the east-west axis.[1] Today the large central dome of the vestibule of the men's section survives, which now houses a series of shops on Eleftheriou Venizelou Street, as well as smaller domed halls in the basement and the ground level with the passages connecting them.[1][2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Οθωμανικό Λουτρό (Χαμάμ)". Municipality of Larissa Cultural Portal (in Greek). Municipality of Larissa. 17 November 2008. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Τα Οθωμανικά Λουτρά (Χαμάμ) στη Λάρισα" (in Greek). Larissa Ephorate of Antiquities. Retrieved 22 November 2018.

39°38′23.1″N 22°24′58.3″E / 39.639750°N 22.416194°E / 39.639750; 22.416194