The story of Hızırbey Hamamı is not just about its age, but its profound purpose, woven into the very fabric of Istanbul’s history. Our journey begins in 1458, a pivotal time just five years after the conquest that transformed Constantinople into a new world capital.
The Founder and His Vision
The hamam was commissioned by an exceptional figure: Hızır Bey, who was appointed by Sultan Mehmed II as the very first Kadı of Istanbul. In the 15th-century Ottoman state, the role of the Kadı was immense. He was not merely a judge; he was the city’s highest-ranking civil administrator, a figure comparable to a modern-day Mayor and Chief Magistrate combined. His responsibilities included everything from overseeing the markets and public works to ensuring the civil order and well-being of all citizens.
A Solution Born from Necessity
One of the most critical challenges facing the new capital was its infrastructure. A rapidly growing population was putting immense strain on the city’s ancient and damaged water systems. Water became a precious, carefully managed resource. In a pragmatic and bold act of urban planning, a decree was issued: to conserve this vital resource, the construction of new, water-intensive private hamams was banned.
Hızırbey Hamamı was the answer to this challenge. It was not conceived as an imperial luxury or a symbol of status. It was built as a public work of art and a sanctuary for all citizens. Its purpose was clear: to offer the essential ritual of purification—a right for both physical and spiritual health—to everyone, in a sustainable and equitable way.
Our Legacy Today
This founding principle is the very soul of our identity today. We are not a palace hamam built for the elite; we are a people’s hamam, rooted in a legacy of public service.
This is why, true to our heritage, we proudly maintain a shared, co-ed space where all are welcome and treated as equals. Our history is not one of sultans and court intrigue, but of the everyday people of Istanbul—merchants, artisans, families, and travelers who have sought warmth and renewal within these walls for over 570 years.
When you step inside Hızırbey Hamamı, you are not just a guest in a historic building. You are participating in a timeless legacy of community, experiencing a piece of history created for the people, by the people.
Created for the people. Perfected by masters.