Eskipazar Small Bathhouse

Since the structure's restoration is not complete, there are no seasonal open/closed restrictions, but it is essential to go during daylight hours. As there is no electricity or lighting inside, it becomes difficult to see details in the late afternoon when the light diminishes. Spring and autumn months are more comfortable for both walking in Eskipazar Neighborhood and visiting the nearby Grand Bathhouse and mosque.

Eskipazar Neighborhood is close to Ordu city center. If you are going by your own car, aim for 1813. Street; it is more practical to park a little further away and walk, as the neighborhood roads are narrow. By public transport, you can take minibuses from the city center to Eskipazar and walk for a few minutes.

The Small Bathhouse is not a stop to visit alone. Right next to it is the Eskipazar Mosque, dating from the Hacıemiroğulları Principality period; the original wooden craftsmanship on its door is exhibited in the Ankara Ethnography Museum, and a replica is in the Ordu Archaeology Museum. To the south of the mosque stands the 16th-century Grand Bathhouse, which is better preserved with its three-section (cold, warm, hot) plan. It is possible to visit all three on the same walk.

The Small Bathhouse itself can be explored in 15-20 minutes, as it is a small, single-room, square-plan structure. If you add the Mosque and the Grand Bathhouse, it becomes a total historical stop of 1-1.5 hours. If you are planning a day trip in Ordu, you can allocate the morning to this trio and the afternoon to the coast or Boztepe.

The structure has not been restored, so there may be decay, cobwebs, and dust accumulation on the floor and walls. There is no guarantee that the door will be open on the day of your visit; it is wise to have an alternative plan (visiting the mosque or the Grand Bathhouse). It is not a suitable place for families with children, as the floor and stairs are not safe.

Since the interior is neglected, the best shots come from the exterior facade. The stone wall texture and the visible lines of the square plan from the outside become more prominent, especially in side light before noon. The wooden door portal of Eskipazar Mosque also offers a more detailed shot that can be taken on the same trip.

Eskipazar Neighborhood is known as Ordu's second settlement area. The trio of the Small Bathhouse, Grand Bathhouse, and mosque showcases a period spanning from the 14th to the 18th century on the same street. The current state of the Small Bathhouse reflects a pre-restoration condition; this makes it less of a tourist stop and more of a discovery point left for the curious.