500-year-old Gazi Mihal Bath to be transformed into a ‘fragrance’ museum

The 15th-century Ottoman masterpiece, Gazi Mihal Bath, will be transformed into a ‘Fragrance’ or ‘Cheese’ museum after its restoration.

The Gazi Mihal Bath was commissioned by Gazi Mihal Bey in 1422. It is located along the Tunca River on the Edirne-Kapıkule road and is part of a complex that includes a bridge and a mosque.

The walls of the bath, made of cutting stone and brick, preserve their original state. The bath was completely closed after the Russians occupied Edirne in 1829.

Governor Yunus Sezer emphasized the importance of Gazi Mihal Bath in a statement to the press, noting its historical and cultural identity, as well as its significance as a landmark for visitors entering Türkiye from Europe. He confirmed that restoration efforts are currently ongoing, and the bath will be organized as a museum afterward.

Sezer indicated that they have been in discussions with a cosmetics company, with a focus on establishing the bath as a fragrance museum. “We plan to create beautiful landscaping around the area extending to the Tunca River,” he stated. “If we collaborate with the relevant firm, we aim to develop a fragrance museum similar to the one in Paris, showcasing scents derived from local flowers like roses and lavender, as well as fragrances used since the Ottoman era. We also envision a small gastronomic area featuring local attire and beverages.”

Potential for a Cheese Museum

Sezer also mentioned the possibility of transforming the historic bath into a cheese museum. He highlighted Edirne’s longstanding reputation in cheese production, stating, “We could create a beautiful cheese museum that showcases the production processes of Edirne cheese and various Balkan cheese types, along with dedicated sales areas.”

Cover Photo: Edirne City Culture and Awareness