Turkish Courtyard

A wrought-iron artistic trade sign bearing the inscription 'Törökudvar' (Turkish Courtyard) on Jókai Street leads to the ruins of the former Turkish bath. The finely crafted sign blends well with the romantic atmosphere of the courtyard, where today only the ruins of the historic bath recall the once vibrant life that the Turks tried to maintain even during the Ottoman occupation.

The Turkish steam bath of Güzelce (Handsome) Rüstem Pasha was a twin bath—that is, divided into separate sections used by men and women—featuring underfloor-heated rooms, conversation nooks, and private bathing cabins for the wealthy. The lobby of the steam bath stood on the site of today's Törökudvar tourist hostel. Details of its transition room and the base of the vaulting are still visible today. It was damaged during the siege of 1602, but was still standing in 1688. Following the liberation of the city from Ottoman rule, it was no longer used as a bath. Today this location is a favourite relaxing spot for locals in Székesfehérvár where, if we let our imagination run free, we can visualize Turkish men and women conversing, smoking pipes, and enjoying social life