The history of the famous baths of the country started during Turkish times: the Ottoman hosts occupying the country built the first hamams and ilijads here – there were a total of 75 Turkish baths in Hungary at the time. Only five remain by now. The one located in Eger is the only functioning Turkish bath outside Budapest today. The city of Eger is not only famous for its Baroque buildings and architecture, its Vicary, and its well-renowned wines, but also for its Medieval traditions. The city’s most well-known historical figure to this day is the hero István Dobó, defender of Eger castle, whose statue stands in the middle of the square named after him. With his sword and only a handful of men, he successfully defended the Castle in the 16th century against the overpowering Ottoman Turks pushing into Europe. Eger later fell, and its minaret and magnificently renovated Turkish bath serve as reminder of these times under Ottoman rule.