Vaulted baths are one of the landmarks of Derbent. This is a traditional type of structure for the East. Such baths played a significant role in a Muslim city, being as integral a part of its social life as mosques and bazaars. The bathhouse in the Caucasus, as in the East, served not only for washing but also for strengthening the body, uplifting the spirit, for relaxation, and for friendly and business conversations. A characteristic feature of Derbent baths is their location near the city’s neighborhood mosques. The old Eastern men’s bathhouse is located near the Kilisa Mosque on the territory of the old trading square and is one of the oldest in Derbent. The bathhouse is built from well-hewn stone blocks. It has the classic layout of an Eastern hammam – with cold and hot halls, niches for rest, domed ceilings, and auxiliary rooms. The floors are paved with stone slabs, under which stone channels for water and hot air are laid. Local legends date this bathhouse back to the 6th century. However, specialized studies have shown that the construction of the main underground part of the bathhouse belongs to the medieval period, although its foundation rests on older structures from the 9th–10th centuries. Just 40 years ago, the bathhouse was in a ruined state. It was restored in 1970 and currently does not operate. Until 1991, the bathhouse was functioning; it is not in use now.
Source:
https://derbentmuseum.ru/monuments/starinnaya-vostochnaya-banya-muzhskaya/
