Süleymaniye Hamamı

The bath at the southern end of the Süleymaniye complex, built by chief architect Sinan between 1550 and 1557. Because metal casters settled around it, it was long known as the Dökmeciler Hamamı. It is a single bath with no women's section, and according to the TDV Encyclopedia of Islam it was probably intended mainly for the complex's staff and students. In its four-iwan hot room the private cubicles are separated by marble columns, one of Sinan's innovations on the classic bath plan. Turned into a workshop in the 1930s, it was later restored as a bath and now caters to tourists.