Bey Hamam, a photo from Thessaloniki, Macedonia

Photographer's Note

Paul has shown Bey Hamam in Tetovo, here Bey Hamam in Thessaloniki. They are similar and built at the same time.
Bey Hamam, alternatively known as the "Baths of Paradise", is a Turkish bathhouse located along Egnatia Street in Thessaloniki, east of Panagia Chalkeon.
Built in 1444 by sultan Murad II, it was the first Ottoman bath in Thessaloniki and the most important one still standing throughout Greece. For this reason, it is a part of those few important vestiges of Ottoman culture remaining in Thessaloniki and Greece in general.

It is a double bath, with two separate parts for men and women. The male quarters are the most spacious and luxurious, but each one follows the same tripartite plan - a succession of three parts, the cold, tepid, and hot rooms. A large rectangular cistern flanks the baths to the east and guarantees their water supply.

The baths for the men include a large octagonal cold room, with a gallery resting on columns, arcades surrounding their windows, and a painted cupola. It is followed, in south-east, by the tepid room, also octagonal, equipped with a cupola with occuli and with a rich series of painted depictions of plants. Further to the east lies the complex of hot rooms, ordered around a large cruciform room, wherein the massage table might always be found, standing, now as ever, in its centre. Eight small hot and tepid rooms open on this space and are equipped with basins and marble benches.

The baths remained in usage, under the name "Baths of Paradise", up until 1968, where they were leased to the Greek archaeological service for four years. After the 1978 Thessaloniki earthquake, which shook Thessaloniki especially hard, the baths were restored, and are used to this day for cultural events and short-lived exhibitions.

Another view, more close, and a picture of the interior in the Workshops.

ikeharel, PaulVDV, pierrefonds, ChrisJ, mcmtanyel, Silvio1953, holmertz, PiotrF, jhm, worldcitizen has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

lousat (138703) 2021-11-26 11:09

Ciao Malgo,a post inspired by Paul and a great similarity, both in the construction phase and in the new intended use, even here now the old bathrooms are used for exhibitions and cultural activities. Well restored after the earthquake looking at the outside, while the dome seen in the WS arouses some concern, excellent photos and interesting notes as always. Have a nice weekend and thanks,Luciano

PaulVDV (62810) 2021-11-26 11:55

Hello Malgo,
When I searched the internet for more information about the Bey Hamam of Tetovo, I found that there was another hammam with the same name. However, I think I didn't visit this one in Thessaloniki during my trip so many years ago.
This one is a bit hidden under the trees, in other words it seems to be protected by the trees.
Good view of the dome's interior in the WS. Too bad of the damage it has sustained over the centuries or by the earthquake of 1978.
Very remarkable foreground in your main photo.
Best regards, Paul

Tue (91700) 2021-11-26 12:29

Hello Malgo,
A great photo of the ancient building in the background, emerging from the trees. The modern square makes a good foreground and adds some nice reflections.
Lars

pierrefonds (113716) 2021-11-26 15:47

Hi Malgo,

I appreciate the reflections on the tiles. The point of view is showing the details of the Hamam. The light is giving good colors rendering. Have a nice day.

Pierre

ChrisJ (171392) 2021-11-26 19:28

Hello Malgo

The tic tac toe pattern in the fg adds repetition and graphism and some reflections in the wet pavement. The old Turkish bath building is nicely framed by the trees. Tfs!

mcmtanyel (67819) 2021-11-26 20:10

Hello Malgo,
Nice views from this old Ottoman hamam in Thessalonica. Bey is an Ottoman ruler, governor of a district or a province. So this this must have been built by a governor.
Regards,
MT

COSTANTINO (115673) 2021-11-26 22:26

hELLO MY DEAREST FRIEND and
have a nice week end
original version
I like the way you
captured this from
the best chosen point of view
regards
Costantino

ifege (47131) 2021-11-26 22:51

Hi Malgo
Good to see this hamam also restored as they have such good style. A good glimpse of it through the trees.
cheers
Ian

Silvio1953 (220775) 2021-11-26 22:55

Ciao cara Malgo, great perspective on interesting place, excellent clarity, splendid light, wonderful colors and fine details, very well done, my friend, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

jemaflor (146412) 2021-11-26 23:33

Hi Malgo,
Nice photo with these lines on the ground, perfect presentation of this bath, good effect too with brightness and wet ground, tfs.

holmertz (102104) 2021-11-27 2:57

Hello Malgo,
The wet black and white squares full of reflections provide an unexpected foreground to the view of the old hamam behind the trees. I can't remember seeing this building on any of my short visits to Thessaloniki.
Regards,
Gert

Gerrit (62042) 2021-11-27 6:40

Hi Malgo.
wonderful old remaining of the Ottoman area. The foreground pattern is an absolute bonus.
thanks and regards,
Gerrit

ikeharel (112565) 2021-11-27 6:58

The wet black tiles in the FG offered wonderful addition to the old edifice of the Hamam, Malgo, extra depth to the scene and different color in contrast.
Also, good choice with the trees "envelope" the the sight of the main object.
Have a nice weekend,
Ike

PiotrF (54246) 2021-11-27 8:06

Czesc Malgo
Ciekawa seria zdjec i notatka - jak rozumiem laznie pierwotnej funkcji juz nie spelniaja. Podoba mi sie kompozycja tego glownego zdjecie.
pozdrawiam
Piotr

jhm (211734) 2021-11-27 8:29

Hello Malgo,

We get a nice sight on the background the frontage, excellent colour.
Without your note I would not know what this nice building are
The floor in foreground, black tiles and white lines, these colour makes your picture only more appreciation
An excellent panorama view too.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice weekend,
John.

worldcitizen (15982) 2021-12-19 16:21

Hello Malgo,
Your recent critique was written from Egypt, but I return to your Greek photos to write about this view. :-) The old bath house is attractive, with its pretty stones and shape, and the foreground is very eye-catching. The black and white foreground is a strong contrast to the more earthy colors of the bath house. Take care!

jmdias (114402) 2021-12-22 10:47

malgo

a nice view of the structure ahead in traditional style while you used well the grid of the ground as a FG element.

take care

jorge