Now, after a long and ambitious 13-year restoration effort, this lost treasure has been revitalised through the efforts of the Marmara Group and is once more a place of cleansing and relaxation, but also one that reflects much of Turkey’s hidden history. Many of its fixtures – including its eponymous tiles – were stripped away to be sold to international museums and private collectors, leaving behind a hollow shell. As the Ottoman Empire gave way to the increasingly Westernised Turkey of the 18th and 19th centuries, sensibilities moved away from older traditions, such as hammams, causing many – including Cinili Hamam – to fall into disrepair. The intervening centuries had not been kind to the long-forgotten marvel. Keep reading list of 3 items list 1 of 3 Is Turkey uniquely positioned to mediate between Palestinians and Israel? list 2 of 3 Turkey’s Erdogan calls Israeli siege and bombing of Gaza a ‘massacre’ list 3 of 3 UEFA names UK, Ireland as Euro 2028 hosts and Turkey, Italy for 2032 end of list
