Hamami i Madh
Great Hammam
Sixteen domes rise above the stone, once filled with steam and stories, now echoing the memory of a city’s shared rituals.
The Story
Built in the second half of the 15th century under Sultan Mehmet Fatih, the Great Hammam was one of the first Ottoman structures in Kosovo. It functioned as a double hammam—separate sections for men and women—with a hot room, cold room, and a hypocaust system that heated the marble floors with steam. The hot room featured 16 domes, each pierced with 15 holes to allow light and regulate temperature.
For centuries, the hammam served as a place of cleansing, socializing, and ritual. Locals gathered here not only to bathe but to mark life events, share news, and maintain communal bonds. According to legend, builders working on the mosque and hammam were required to bathe twice daily—a reflection of the site’s spiritual and hygienic significance.
By the 1960s, the hammam ceased its original function and was repurposed for storage and small businesses. A fire in the 1990s damaged its structural integrity, and restoration efforts stalled for years. Today, the building is owned by the Municipality of Prishtina and protected by the Institute for Protection of Monuments. A new conservation program is underway, with plans to transform the hammam into the Museum of Prishtina
The Great Hammam remains a quiet anchor in the city’s historical landscape—its domes weathered, its stones resilient, and its story still unfolding.
Tourist Information
Last update
Oct 8, 2025
Type of Landmark: Ottoman Bathhouse and Cultural Monument
Accessibility Notes: Exterior viewable year-round; interior access may be limited due to ongoing restoration
Open Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00–20:00 (subject to change during restoration phases)
Getting There: Located in Prishtina’s old town near the Imperial Mosque and Clock Tower. Easily reachable by foot from Skanderbeg Square
