“Underground bath” is in danger of collapsing

Posted: November 1, 2022 4:28 p.m

Where and how the bathroom sewage was discharged through the earthen pipes still remains a mystery
It is reported that the “Yeraltı Hamam” monument complex located in the center of Goychay is in danger of collapsing.
“Report“according to the information, although the restoration of the architectural example, which has been neglected for more than thirty years, has been planned for several years, in practice, no necessary measures have been taken yet.
It is noted that the front of the monument has become a place where garbage is collected. The monument, with large cracks in its roof and walls, is in danger of collapsing.
The “Underground Bath”, whose doors are currently closed, is protected from outside interference and no one is allowed inside.
According to Goychay residents, representatives of the Ministry of Culture and the State Service for the Protection, Development and Restoration of Cultural Heritage last year 10 came many times during the year and got acquainted with the condition of this historical monument and said that repair and restoration works will be carried out here.
However, since then, this work has not yet been started, the monument has been completely forgotten and has become dilapidated.
Press secretary of the State Service Fariz Huseynli said that the repair and restoration works will be carried out in the bath.
“For this purpose, the issue of restoration of the historical bath has been included in the investment plan. As a State Service, campaign works are being carried out in the direction of restoring and using such historical buildings within the framework of the legislation. In this context, measures are being taken to restore the “underground bath”.
This bath, built 135 years ago in Azerbaijan, is considered one of the rare architectural monuments.
According to historical sources, in the 19th century Hazrat Bey Aghazade, one of the wealthy people of Goychay, built this bathhouse as a dowry for his daughter.
The name “underground bath” was given because the main part is located 2 meters below the surface of the earth. The square-shaped building has three large oval-shaped halls. Two of the baths were for women and one for men. In the past, 70 people used it at the same time. A secret of this rare building of national importance, which has been serving people for many years, has not been revealed yet. Where and how the bathroom sewage was discharged through the earthen pipes still remains a mystery.
Despite the research, this question has not yet been answered. The activity of this bath, a unique architectural monument with a dome, was stopped during the former Soviet era. In the 30s and 40s of the last century, the “Underground Bath” was turned into a prison. After the Second World War, it was used as a cheese shop for a while. In 1958, the building was repaired and started functioning as a bathhouse again. However, after 1991, this monument was used by entrepreneurs for various purposes, the historical architectural example was damaged, fell into disrepair.