The Bath of pasha Memi

The Bath of pasha Memi

7621 Pécs, Ferencesek u. 35.

The longest surviving Turkish bath of Pécs, the bath of Pasha Memi, was only demolished in 1880. It was unearthed and conservated in the 1970s and was opened to the public with the addition of an exhibition of historic artefacts.
Turkish notabilities, as they were not really allowed to collect earthly goods according to their religion, either used up their income entirely or invested it in the establishment of religious or educational establishments. They had mosques, dervish monasteries and tomb-chapels built. They established elementary and middle level schools for the youth. In order to cleanse the body just as much as the soul, they built baths.

The Turkish traveller, Evlia Chelleby wrote between 1660 and 1664 when he was a guest of the town: "The spa of pasha Memi is close to the mosque of pasha Memi, it is a warm bath in a pleasant building, and the spa servants' hands are like the sun…"
Today the reconstructed walls of the spa as well as the partial reconstruction of the bath area are on display. The covered rooms of the one-time spa chamber and the wood shed host a small exhibition on Turkish spas of Hungary and the history of the excavation of the bath of pasha Memi.