BATHS OF MEDIEVAL SARAYCHYQ: ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE OF THE GOLDEN HORDE

The main objective of this research is to conduct a comparative analysis of the architectural structures of bathhouses in medieval Sarayshyk with those in other Golden Horde cities. The study examines the architectural features of medieval Eastern bathhouses, as well as their cultural and social significance. It analyses the planning, heating, and water supply systems, as well as decorative elements of bathhouses in the cities of Central Asia and the Golden Horde, with particular attention paid to the bathhouses of medieval Sarayshyk. Based on archaeological evidence, it is revealed that the Sarayshyk bathhouse was constructed under the influence of Roman-Byzantine building traditions, and the use of mud brick in its interior proved to be an effective solution for heat retention.
The engineering skill in the construction of bathhouses, their role in public life, and their significance as evidence of intercultural connections during the Golden Horde period—where Eastern and Western architectural traditions intertwined—are highlighted. Medieval Eastern bathhouses served not only hygienic purposes but also played an essential role as centres of social and cultural life. This research provides a deeper understanding of the place of Eastern bathhouses in the architectural heritage of Central Asia and the Golden Horde era. Furthermore, it examines the social, cultural, and religious significance of the location of bathhouses near mosques in cities.
Bathhouses were not only places for physical cleansing but also essential facilities that ensured spiritual purity in connection with mosques. Since Islam places great emphasis on cleanliness, the construction of bathhouses near mosques facilitated the preparation of city residents for prayer rituals.

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