Tarihi 8 Direkli Hamam

Tarihi 8 Direkli Hamam is in the Pazarkapı neighbourhood of Trabzon's Ortahisar district and is presented as the city's oldest known Turkish bath. The building's date is disputed: some sources link it to the Seljuk period, while an assessment cited by the Trabzon Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism dates it to the 18th century on the basis of its architectural features. Registered as an immovable cultural asset in 1974, the hammam was repaired by Trabzon Municipality.
The arrangement that gives the hammam its name ('eight-pillared') can be seen in the hot room: around the octagonal navel stone (the heated marble platform) in the centre, eight marble columns linked by round arches carry an octagonal vault. There are four halvet rooms (private alcoves) in the corners of the square hot room; the changing room to the north was rebuilt at a later date.
Services include kese (exfoliating scrub), foam massage, aromatherapy massage with essential oils and a medical massage focusing on the neck, back and lower back. The hammam also has a wooden sauna, a heated navel stone, relaxation rooms for after bathing and a vitamin bar serving fruit juice, herbal tea, Turkish tea and Turkish coffee.
It suits those who want a massage as well as kese and foam, and those who want to go to the hammam late at night. The hammam is open every day from early morning until 02.00; according to its Google listing, opening time varies between 06.00 and 07.00 depending on the day. Appointment requests can be sent through the form on the website or via the WhatsApp line.