Are there Byzantine remains beneath Istanbul hamams?
At Zeyrek Çinili Hamam, Byzantine cisterns survive beneath the Ottoman bath. That is this building's story; it does not describe every hamam in Istanbul.
Related questions
Is a cistern under a hamam the same as a bathing pool?
No. A cistern stores water; it is not automatically a pool where visitors bathed. Its purpose and date need to be established for that particular site.
Why does restoration sometimes uncover older remains?
Work can reveal earlier layers concealed beneath or behind later structures. Archaeological findings need documented interpretation, rather than assumptions based on appearance.
What is the difference between restoration and recreation?
Restoration works with an existing historic structure; recreation produces a new interpretation. Ask which elements survive and which were added during later work.