PRESERVATION OF TANGIBLE AND INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE: SAMPLE OF TURKISH BATH

Abstract

Since the "Turkish bath" is an important symbol of a living and cultural wealth that has been passed down through generations, it is an important example in terms of preserving and maintaining both tangible and intangible cultural heritage together. The aim of the study is to reveal the spatial, functional, and traditional features of the Turkish bath in the concrete and intangible cultural context and to examine the objects of Turkish bath in detail. In the study, it was also aimed to evaluate the baths with historical value and converted into museums in the context of tangible cultural heritage. The method of his study is a descriptive survey model based on reviewing the literature on the cultural heritage and Turkish bath culture. The literature findings are supported with visual materials that highlight the characteristics of Turkish bath objects and reflect the Turkish bath museums, as well as the spatial, functional, and traditional properties of Turkish baths. In the conclusion section of the study, the importance of making efforts to keep the tradition of the Turkish bath alive and to maintain the functions of the historical baths located in almost every city of Anatolia where there is tangible and intangible cultural heritage are mentioned. In cases where this is not possible, it was emphasized that turning historical baths into museums and preventing their disappearance should be seen as a solution at least in terms of protecting the tangible cultural heritage.