Hidden treasures of Budapest – part 3.
Posted by Ágnes Taraszovics · Apr 7, 2016

Most of the tourists visiting Hungary knows about our thermals baths, and many of you visits Széchenyi Bath or Gellért, but we know a little gemstone in this area as well.

Veli Bej Bath is the most beautiful Turkish bath in Buda for sure. Nowadays it’s also known as Császár Bath, but it has a rally long story back in time. The bath was actually not built for Veli Bey’s order, but for Szokollu Mustafa Pasha in 1574. As the area is quite swampy, the building stands on huge piles with a diameter of 60-80 centimeters. The bath has changed owner many times during this half millennium until it became the property of Sisters of Mercy.

Although the hall was destroyed in the 18th Century, but the square-shaped core survived. The bath gained its present form between 1841-44, based on the plans of József Hild. Some years ago, it has been fully renovated and the constructors tried to conjure up the original conditions. The excavated limestone floors and the old water pipes have been covered with glass plates, so everyone can see the almost 500-year old elements.

Photo: torokvarak.hu (Before the renovation)

The Turkish bath itself consists of a nine-aisle space, which means that the central dome is surrounded by four small domes and four barrel-vaulted space, and these form a nine-sectioned field. During the last renovation they take the white marble cover off the pool area as the original Turkish experts did not pave but used waterproof plaster. Nowadays you can still see these marble tiles on the columns of the hall.

The 36-degree central large pool is Central Europe's largest Turkish bath, and it’s a magnificent sight. And all this is covered by a gorgeous dome. The hall is octagonal with small cabins on the edges, where the small family swimming pools used to be. Today there are different-temperature pools in these nooks. And the fact we like the most: the water does not have to be chlorined either, due to the rapid flow of thermal water: it is completely changed 4 times a day. Thus, the spa offers all natural refreshment. At the same time, 80 people can be in the coed bath at most to avoid overcrowding.

Photo: termalfurdo.hu/ (and after it)

  • bath
  • budapest
  • hidden treasures
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