Araba Pazarı Hamamı

Araba Pazarı Hamamı stands on the corner where Araba Pazarı Sokağı meets Belediye Caddesi, in the Akmescit neighbourhood of Kastamonu's Merkez district, in front of the old town hall. The hammam was built in the early 16th century by Nasrullah Kadı to provide income for the Nasrullah Mosque, which he had built in 1506-1507. Today the building belongs to the Kastamonu Regional Directorate of Foundations.
Built of rubble and cut stone, the hammam follows a double-hammam plan: the eastern wing is reserved for men and the western wing for women. The men's section has a domed changing room, a warm room with an iwan and a cross-plan hot room with two halvets (private alcoves); in the women's section, too, the domed changing room is followed by a warm room with a mirror vault and a hot room with two halvets. The building was repaired in 1918 and between 1971 and 1981, and its most recent restoration was carried out by the Directorate of Foundations in 2007-2008.
The hammam offers traditional services such as bathing, sweating on the navel stone (the heated marble platform) and kese (exfoliating scrub). Being in the city centre, it is an easily reached stop for those exploring Kastamonu and for anyone seeking a traditional hammam experience in a historic building.
According to Google, the hammam is open every day from 07.00 to 24.00. As different hours have also appeared in the local press, it is a good idea to confirm by phone in advance, especially if you plan to go late in the evening.