Ali Paşa Hamamı

Ali Paşa Hamamı stands in Tokat's Merkez (central) district, in the Alipaşa neighbourhood that bears its name, just east of Ali Paşa Mosque; it is within walking distance of the city centre. The building has no inscription, but it is dated to 1572 because it forms the Ali Paşa Külliyesi (complex) together with the mosque. Badly damaged in the 1939 and 1943 earthquakes, the hammam was later repaired; according to the local press, its interior was recently renovated and it reopened after a break of about five months.
Built of cut stone, the hammam is a double hammam made up of adjoining, symmetrical women's and men's sections. In each section the changing room, warm room and hot room follow one another. In the cross-plan hot room of the men's section, the navel stone (the heated marble platform) lies beneath the central dome, with halvet cells (private alcoves) in the corners; light holes in the domes let daylight in. Men enter through the monumental door on the east facade, women through a separate door at the north-east corner.
As well as bathing, the hammam offers kese (exfoliating scrub), foam wash and massage. It appeals to those who want to get to know an Ottoman-era hammam by using it while exploring Tokat, and to those in the city who keep up a regular hammam routine.
The hammam is open every day of the week from 06.00 to 23.00. Information about kese and foam wash and the current arrangements can be obtained by phone before you go.