Investigation of The Traditional Seljuks and Principalities Period Baths Within The Conservation and Restoration: The Example of Isparta Baths

The city Isparta is located around the Lakes Region in the Mediterranean Region of Turkey. Date of settlement in Isparta goes back to the upper Paleolithic era. Isparta went under the administration of Luvi and Arzava Phrygians, Lydia, Persia, Kingdom of Pergamon, Roman Empire, Byzantine Empire, Seljuks, Hamitogullari Principality, Ottoman Empire and Republic of Turkey. Isparta is still a small Anatolian city along with its 12 district. Isparta represents the classical Turkish city concept with its mosques, covered bazaar, baths and churches. One of the most important historical structures of Isparta is bath. Baths came to be used less frequently with the construction of bathrooms in every apartment. The elderly people generally use the baths in Isparta. Due to a major decrease in their number, baths are not sufficiently functional and face with important protection issues. Traditional Isparta baths have been reviewed in detail in terms of their architecture and preservation within the scope of this study. Particularly the baths belonging to the era of Seljuk and Hamitogullari Principality have major and urgent protection issues. Archive and literature review have been performed; architectural features of the structures have been examined; damages have been evaluated and reasons for deterioration have been analyzed. In the conclusion part, recommendations for protection and new functions have been stated so that these structures will be transferred to next generations by preserving their structural characteristics and individualities.