Ayakapı is a small neighborhood located on the shores of the Golden Horn in the Fatih district of Istanbul. During the Byzantine period, the district was known as Ta Dexiokratiana or Dexiokràtous. The district's most important historical structure is the Gül Mosque, built as a church during the Byzantine period and later converted into a mosque during the Ottoman period. Another important structure is the Ayakapı Bathhouse, built by the architect Sinan in 1582, also known as the Havuzlu Hamam (Pool Bathhouse). Located on the shores of the Golden Horn between Fener and Cibali, the building, also known among the public as the "Cibali Bath", was built by Mimar Sinan in 1582 for Nurbanu Sultan, the wife of Selim II and mother of Murad III, to generate income for the Atik Valide Sultan Complex in Üsküdar.

The structure was built as a male bathhouse to meet the needs of those working at the local shipyard. This structure stands out among the group of bathhouses for its special feature. It was constructed with a special technique, creating a partition at the entrance to prevent northerly winds so that visitors wouldn't feel cold and to prevent heat loss inside. This technique also preserved the hot section of the bathhouse.

The bath, built to generate income for the foundation, was severely damaged in the Cibali fires of 1782. The bathhouse, which was taken over by the foundation during the Republican era, was sold and used as a lumber warehouse for a while, and that after the warehouse was emptied, the building fell into disrepair.

Property owner Hasan Yıldırım said that his uncle bought the bathhouse in the 1950s from a well-known family that had such historical artifacts. The family, like many businesses in the area, was involved in lumbering and purchased the building, which they used as a warehouse for many years. The area's landscape changed in the 1980s. During Bedrettin Dalan's tenure as mayor, demolition took place and parks were built. So, the lumber business moved to the İkitelli Lumber Dealers' Site in 1997. After the site was vacated, professor Hüseyin Başçetinçelik, a master architect and academic, registered it as lost work by Mimar Sinan.

The past municipal attempts to revitalize the bathhouse were unsuccessful. After the building was sold and transferred to private ownership, some elaborate renovations were made to the interior, including the use of cement. This structure, which was used as a warehouse, has lost its original character over time due to these changes. The bathhouse's condition is truly deplorable. Given its location and location, it should definitely be made available for public use.