The Old Turkish Bath – The Transformed Art Gallery
Following its restoration, the historic 16th-century Old Turkish Bath (Hamam) was transformed into an Art Gallery and, since 2015, has served as the Art Department of the Historical Museum.
It hosts temporary exhibitions by both emerging and established Bulgarian artists, contributing to the cultural vibrancy of the city.
The old Turkish bath – hamam (transformed into an Art Gallery) is among the most remarkable architectural monuments in Svilengrad. Its history traces the rise of Ottoman urban planning and life around the famous Mustafa Pasha Bridge.
Together with the bridge over the Maritsa River, it is one of the few preserved structures from the original vakuf complex built in the 16th century.
The complex once included several buildings of public significance—a caravanserai, a mosque, an imaret (charity kitchen), dukhans (inns), and a bathhouse—forming the nucleus of the settlement at the time.
The area was then known as Jisr-i Mustafa Pasha, meaning “Mustafa Pasha’s Bridge,” named after the influential vizier who served under Sultans Selim I and Suleiman the Magnificent.
Architecture and Purpose
Although the exact construction date of the hamam is not documented, it is believed to have been built in the 1630s or 1640s.
Its architecture follows the classical model of Ottoman public baths, featuring clearly defined areas for preparation, hygiene, and relaxation.
Visitors would first enter the soğukluk—a cool room used for changing and resting—before proceeding to the sıcaklık, the hot room where bathing and massages took place.
At the rear of the bathhouse, a separate chamber was used to heat and maintain the water temperature.
The interior of the bath is notable for its monumental design—high domes supported by arches allow light to filter through small openings, creating a dramatic semi-darkness.
This interplay of light and shadow adds an air of mystique and tranquility, capturing the timeless spirit preserved in the architectural language of the past.
Ruins, Rebuilds, and New Life
In the 19th century, as the city’s population expanded, the original hamam building was demolished and replaced with a larger structure. However, this new bathhouse had a short life—during the Balkan Wars (1912–1913), it was burned and completely destroyed.
After the liberation of the town, now renamed Svilengrad, the local authorities initiated the restoration of the Turkish bath with the aim of serving both residents and the many refugees from Eastern and Western Thrace.
In 1936, additional rooms were added to the building, and the bath remained in operation until the 1970s, when a modern municipal bathhouse was constructed.
Since the early 21st century, there has been renewed interest in the hamam’s historical and cultural value.
In 2003, it was officially declared a monument of local cultural significance, designated for conservation and future cultural development.
Gallery
Photographer: Pavel Sarandiev
Young Talents Exhibition
Prices
Entrance Fees:
Adults: 2.00 BGN / 1,02 EUR
Seniors and Students: 1.00 BGN / 0,51 EUR
Persons with Disabilities and Children under 7: Free Admission
Note: Prices are per person.
Contact
Svilengrad, 156, Str. Krairechna
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday – 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM