Kali Yunus Baths

The historic baths of Kali Yunus (also known as Kali Zhunos), built in the late 19th century, were modeled after the medieval bathhouses of Taraz and other cities of Central Asia. Constructed by the residents of the city of Aulie-Ata and funded by a prominent citizen in whose honor they were named, the date of the bathhouse’s construction was determined by coins found on-site.

Kali Yunus Baths remained in operation until the 1950s. In 1982, they were listed as one of Kazakhstan’s historical and cultural monuments. Today, the restored bathhouse stands as a significant architectural landmark. The historic complex is a multi-domed building containing eleven rooms (only ten of which have survived). Constructed from fired brick, as was typical in the medieval period, the interior of the building is adorned with niches and arched details characteristic of Eastern architecture. The entire bath complex covers an area of 450 square meters. The walls rise to three meters in height, with a thickness of 80 centimeters, and the interiors reach five to six meters up to the domes. Although the walls were once decorated with frescoes of geometric patterns, only fragments of these designs remain today.

The bathhouse is divided into three functional zones:

• General Use Zone: This includes a vestibule with an entrance hall, rest rooms, and massage areas.
• Technical Zone: This area holds reservoirs for hot and cold water, heating boilers, and a well.
• Restricted Use Zone: This area comprises three washing rooms, which are isolated from other sections and only accessible via an exit to the outdoors.

In its operating days, the bathhouse was accompanied by a hotel and a teahouse, making it a favorite gathering place for locals to enjoy a weekend visit or meet with friends.

Visitor reviews suggest that the bathhouse is not always open for tours, with access often limited to its exterior. Visitors can confirm opening hours by calling +8 7262 43 32 40.

The widespread establishment of public baths in Central Asia dates back to the 8th century when these regions became part of the Caliphate. During this time, strengthened ties with the West introduced Hellenistic traditions, including the concept of public bathhouses (thermal baths).

By the mid-9th century, bathhouses had appeared in nearly every town across Central Asia, from small settlements to large cities. In cities like Taraz, archaeological research suggests that multiple bathhouses existed. Built in the Arab style and referred to by the Arabic name hammam, these bathhouses quickly became more than popular leisure spots; they evolved into crucial social institutions where dignitaries were hosted, negotiations were conducted, and significant holidays were celebrated.

Fired brick was the preferred material for bath construction. Before its adoption, the vaulted ceilings and floors of sun-dried brick bathhouses were coated with a specialized waterproofing layer known as kyr, a mixture of lime, grape syrup, and reed ash. This mixture was challenging to produce and not very durable, which led to a shift toward the use of fired brick for most bathhouses.

In those times, bathhouses fell into two categories: private and public. Private baths were built in palace complexes or the homes of prominent citizens, while public bathhouses were located in city centers or community hubs, where entry required a fee. By the 11th–12th centuries, it was common to donate the income from public bathhouses to educational institutions such as madrasas or hospitals.

Research on the Taraz bathhouse led to a surprising discovery—the ancient city had an established water supply system that delivered water directly to the bathhouses, a system similar to those in Roman thermal baths.