Haymana: Thermal Traditions and History

Haymana tells its story in different ways: through a thermal bath with a long history, historic buildings and places where local stories live on. There is also a park with a café and kiosks, as well as the Gâvurkale ruins nearby. The district thus offers several themes to explore as you plan your trip—from thermal traditions to architectural history.

Thermal Traditions and the Story of Cimcime Sultan

The Cimcime Sultan (Merkez) Kaplıcası thermal bath is said to have been built by the Romans and reconstructed in 1927; it was renovated several times later on. The wording “is said to” reflects the traditional account of its origins, while 1927 is given as the year of its reconstruction. The bath’s history thus links an attributed Roman founding with a specific later phase of construction.

Cimcime Sultan is also closely connected with local tradition. Her tomb is in the centre of the Haymana district. According to tradition, she discovered the thermal spring and was healed by its water. Another story says that her father left her at the warm spring at the present site of the thermal bath; bathing there healed her wounds and skin complaints. These stories offer a distinctive narrative perspective on the thermal tradition. If you are particularly interested in Haymana’s thermal history, it can provide the main focus of your trip.

Buildings and Places of Remembrance

According to its inscription, Merkez Camii in the centre of the Haymana district was built in 1890. The mosque is defined by features of late Ottoman architecture, and its original mihrab has been preserved. Its construction date, stylistic features and surviving architectural element make it a specific example of the district’s architectural history. Visitors who want to discover Haymana through its historic architecture will find a different focus here than in the thermal traditions.

Another place of remembrance is Şehitler Çeşmesi. The Kırşehirli family had the fountain built in 1917 in memory of Mehmet, a first lieutenant who fell in the Battle of Çanakkale. The Çeşme was restored in 2023. A recreation park was created behind it. Taş Bina, meanwhile, was built in 1895 as the headquarters of the Haymana Redif Battalion and as an arms and ammunition depot. Today, the building is used as the district directorate of national education’s service building; an itinerary for the second day starts there. The building known as Papazın Evi is also called Krikoryan Konağı. It is a single-storey building made of rubble masonry, built in 1906.

Park, Regional Speciality and Surroundings

Ömer-Özkan Park and Square have a photo area, kiosks, a pool and a café. An official itinerary recommends trying seasonal koruk juice, a drink typical of Haymana, at the café. This adds a local speciality to the range of travel interests, alongside architectural history and thermal traditions. If you prefer to include culinary discoveries in your days, koruk juice offers a specific idea to consider when planning your trip.

The Gâvurkale ruins are located near the destination. They are 2 km from the village of Dereköy in Haymana district. This distance refers to Dereköy, not the centre of Haymana. Gâvurkale adds another place of archaeological interest to the district’s historical themes.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Haymana, you can start by asking what kind of experience you want to shape your stay: thermal history and local stories, historic buildings and places of remembrance, or a discovery such as Gâvurkale. These interests offer different ways to explore the destination.

More Places

Other places at the same level: Çayırhan, Ankara, Kızılcahamam, Örencik, Karahisar, Ayaş, Yukarıbağdere, Dikmen.

Back to the main travel overview: Ankara.