08.11.2025 11:31
The historic Kapıağası Yakup Ağa Hamamı, built by Mimar Sinan in 1545, has been transformed into an entertainment venue after restoration, becoming a casino where belly dancers perform on the central stone and meals are served in bath basins.
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Kapıağası Yakup Ağa Hamamı, one of the first baths built by Mimar Sinan in Istanbul, has been transformed into an entertainment venue after restoration. The historical structure, which carries traces of the Ottoman period, is now used as a restaurant-casino where belly dancers perform on the göbek taşı (central stone) and meals are served in bath basins. Images circulating on social media have reignited discussions about the preservation of cultural heritage.
USE OF THE HISTORICAL MONUMENT SPARKED REACTIONS
Built in 1545 by Mimar Sinan and once owned by the Foundations, the structure passed into private ownership in 1938. The current state of the bath, which is one of the distinguished examples of Ottoman architecture, has been criticized by many as "a usage contrary to the spirit of the foundation." Some historians argue that similar works should be expropriated by the state and returned to foundation ownership.
"YAKUP AĞA WOULD BE DISTRESSED"
Art historian Talha Uğurluel reacted to the situation, stating, "Yakup Ağa built this bath as a charitable work for the benefit of the public. The transformation of this structure into an entertainment venue is a great disrespect not only to our history but also to the culture of foundations. Foundation property belongs to the public; no one can say 'I am selling it, I am making it private property.'"
"IF HE ROSE FROM HIS GRAVE AND SAW THIS SCENE..."
Uğurluel noted that the sale of alcohol or inappropriate activities in foundation works is completely contrary to the purpose of the foundation, stating, "If Yakup Ağa rose from his grave and saw this scene, he would be very upset."
"FOUNDATION PROPERTIES SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE PUBLIC"
Uğurluel also expressed that the state and individuals with means should take responsibility in this matter, calling out, "The state should take the lead in this. Foundation works that have turned into private property should be returned to the public by reaching an agreement with their owners."
WHO IS KAPI AĞASI YAKUP AĞA?
Yakup Ağa, who served in the palace with the title "Kapıağası" during the reign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, was an important state official who lived in the mid-16th century. Yakup Ağa, who had Mimar Sinan build the Kapıağası Yakup Ağa Hamamı in Samatya, Istanbul in 1545, is regarded as one of the pioneering figures of Ottoman classical architecture.
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