Hamam Omerye Baths, Ottoman hammam in Nicosia, Cyprus.
Hamam Omerye Baths is an Ottoman-era bathhouse in Nicosia's old town with traditional Turkish hammam architecture and layout. A central domed chamber is surrounded by alcoves with bench seating, while fountains throughout the space deliver warm and cold water.
The hammam was founded in 1570 by Lala Mustafa Pasha under Ottoman control and named after Caliph Omar. It was built on the site of a 14th-century Augustinian church.
The hammam follows the tradition of separate bathing times for men and women, preserving centuries-old customs of social gathering and cleansing rituals. Visitors experience this gender separation as part of the place's living heritage.
The facility sits on Tyllirias Square in the heart of the old town and is easy to reach on foot. Visitors should know that separate time slots apply for men and women, so it helps to check hours ahead of your visit.
A major restoration project in 2004 earned the Europa Nostra Award for successfully preserving original features while adding contemporary spa facilities. This careful integration of old and new makes it a rare example of heritage conservation in practice.
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