Shahmeran Hamam, Turkish bath in Tarsus, Turkey
Shahmeran Hamam is a rectangular stone bathhouse in Tarsus featuring four iwans arranged around a central domed space. The structure contains ten separate wooden rooms designed for private bathing, following the traditional layout of Turkish baths.
The bathhouse was built by the Ramazanids between the 14th and 16th centuries on the foundations of an earlier Roman bath. Major renovation during the Ottoman period in 1873 restored and adapted the structure to its present form.
The bathhouse takes its name from Shahmaran, a figure from Turkish folklore depicted as half-woman and half-snake. Visitors can sense this mythological presence woven into the place's identity and the stories locals share about it.
The bathhouse is located in the Kızılmurat neighborhood of Tarsus and continues to operate as a traditional Turkish bath. Visitors should expect separate facilities for men and women, with availability depending on the time of day.
Red spots on the bathhouse walls are linked to the legend of Shahmaran and mark where the mythical creature met its end. These marks remind visitors of the deep connection between the building and the ancient stories that shaped the region.
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