Byzantine Bath of Thessaloniki
Byzantine Bath of Thessaloniki
One of the few surviving Byzantine baths in Greece
The Byzantine Bath of Thessaloniki, one of the few surviving Byzantine baths in Greece, is located in the Upper Town (Ano Poli), near the Church of Osios David. Built in the 13th century, it operated continuously for nearly seven centuries until 1940, serving as a unique example of Byzantine architecture and Ottoman heritage.
During the Ottoman period, the bath was known as "Paradise Baths" and operated as both a men’s and women’s bathhouse, at different times of the day. The building consists of three main rooms: the cold room, the tepid room, and the hot room, where visitors would transition from one stage to the next to prepare their bodies for the bath. The hot room, with its impressive dome, is the most iconic part of the bath.
The Byzantine Bath was declared a protected monument in 1952 and has recently been restored to preserve its historical value. Today, it stands as an important monument of Thessaloniki's cultural heritage, offering visitors a unique glimpse into the daily life and hygiene practices during the Byzantine and Ottoman periods.
