Çadırcı Hamamı

Çadırcı Hamamı is a historical structure located in the Beybağı neighborhood (formerly known as Gerek Gerek) of Erzincan city center, exhibiting characteristics of classical Ottoman bath architecture. It is also known locally as Çadırcı Şeyh Ahmed Hamamı or Hacı Ahmed Bey Hamamı.

History and Documents

According to the foundation inscription on the building, it was constructed in 1548 (Hijri 955) by Mahmud’s son Şeyh Ahmed.^【1】 A record dated 1591 indicates that the building was endowed for the soul of the Prophet Muhammad. According to a second inscription on the entrance door, the structure underwent extensive repairs between 1677 and 1678 (Hijri 1088) by Kızılcanlı Murtaza Bey.^【2】

Traces of the bath appear in historical documents and chronicles related to Erzincan; it is listed among the active baths in the Erzurum Vilayet chronicles of 1871, 1875, and 1894. Additionally, its location is marked on the 1904 city map. Severely damaged in the 1939 Erzincan earthquake, the structure fell into disrepair for many years and was used as a warehouse and stable. It was registered as a "Cultural Asset Requiring Protection" on 28 April 1988. Restoration work initiated in 2016 through a collaboration between the Erzincan Governorship and the Eastern Anatolia Regional Development Agency was completed in 2018, and the building was reopened for use.

Architectural Features

Çadırcı Hamamı belongs to the single-bath category in architectural terms. It is built on a rectangular mass oriented north-south and consists of the following sections: cold room (changing area), warm room, hot room, water reservoir, and furnace room.

• Plan Scheme: It follows the common Turkish bath architectural plan type of four-iwan with corner cells (halvet).
• Cold Room (Changing Area): A square space measuring approximately 10.10 x 10.25 meters, covered by a brick dome resting on an octagonal drum. The mukarnas-filled pendentives used in the transition to the dome constitute a technical detail distinguishing it from other late-period baths in the region. Traces of a former pool are visible in the center of the room.^【3】
• Warm Room: This section has a transverse rectangular plan and is covered by a barrel vault and a dome. Part of the space appears to have been adapted for use as a toilet.
• Hot Room: The main bathing area of the bath, covered by a central dome supported by mukarnas pendentives. Four iwan openings extend from the central area toward the cardinal directions, with independent halvet cells located in the corners. Traces of an octagonal central stone remain.
• Water Reservoir and Furnace Room: The water reservoir, extending along the southern facade, is covered by a barrel vault. The furnace room, located beneath the water reservoir, is now buried underground.

Materials and Techniques

The main walls of the structure were built using rubble stone, while regular cut stone was used for door and window openings. The domes and vaults are entirely constructed of brick. Lighting was provided without windows in the walls, to preserve privacy, through "eye of the elephant" light openings in the domes and a lantern in the cold room dome.

Current Condition

Following its 2018 restoration, Çadırcı Hamamı has been repurposed beyond its original function. Today it serves as a center displaying regional products of Erzincan. Due to its status as one of the rare surviving Ottoman structures from the old city that withstood the post-earthquake destruction, it holds significant historical value.