Čifte Hammam

Cifte Hammam is a historic Ottoman bathhouse located in the Old Bazaar of Skopje, North Macedonia. Constructed in the mid-fifteenth century, the building is distinguished by its dual structure, a characteristic reflected in its name, derived from the Turkish word for a couple or pair. No longer functioning as a bathhouse, it currently serves as an exhibition space for the National Gallery of Macedonia, bridging its Ottoman architectural heritage with a contemporary cultural role.

The hammam was built in the mid-fifteenth century by Isa-Beg Ishaković, a Bosnian general and prominent dignitary responsible for several major monuments in Skopje. It was established to generate a regular source of income for his endowment. Over the centuries, the structure survived significant damage from earthquakes in 1555 and 1963, as well as the great fire of Skopje in 1689. Due to its solid construction, the building remained largely intact, though secondary details like its basins were lost. The hammam ceased its original function in 1916 and was subsequently lightly modified to serve as a warehouse. In 2001, it was integrated into the National Gallery of Macedonia as an exhibition venue.

Situated in the Old Bazaar of Skopje near the Suli An caravanserai, the building is characterized by its bipartite layout. The name Cifte directly references this double design, which consists of two identical and separate sections, one for men and the other for women. Each section contains an entrance, a hot room, and a bath area. The two primary halls are covered by large domes, while the remaining rooms feature smaller domes. Male and female dressing rooms are separated but share a joint bath area. The interior retains some decorative elements, including floral bas-reliefs. The building also included a specific room with a pool designated for the ritual bathing of the Jewish population in Skopje, located in the northwest part of the structure.

Cifte Hammam is located in the Old Bazaar of Skopje, North Macedonia. It operates as a non-functional bathhouse and functions as an exhibition space under the National Institution National Gallery of Macedonia. The administrative head office of the National Gallery is located at the Multimedia Center Mala Stanica, and the gallery also oversees the Daut Pasa Hammam. Cifte Hammam is accessible to the public as a venue for art exhibitions and cultural displays.