Picture yourself in a world where time slows down, and all the stresses of modern life melt away. Welcome to the world of Turkish hammams where the soothing echoes of water and the scent of exotic fragrances fill the air.
Turkish hammams are a part of Turkish culture and have been adored for centuries as a place of relaxation, rejuvenation, and connection. This unique place serves both body and soul, where the art of self-care is elevated to a timeless tradition.
In this blog, we invite you to embark on a journey through the glamorous world of Turkish hammams. We unveil the secrets and rituals of Turkish hammams, ensuring that you step into this realm prepared and inspired.
Table of Contents
What is a Turkish Bath or Hammam?
The Turkish hammam, also known as a Turkish bath, is a type of steam bath or a place of public bathing associated with the Islamic world. Let’s delve into the very essence of this time-honored retreat.
Origin and History of Turkish Hammam
The origin can be traced back to the ancient Roman baths, which were popular during the Roman Empire. The hammam later emerged in Arabic and Islamic culture as a place to prepare for prayer. The Ottomans played a crucial role in the development and improvement of hammams. They were built in every city across the Ottoman Empire’s European, Asian, and African territories.
Public paths were already a feature of life in Turkey during Ancient Greek and Roman times and continued during Seljuk. However, most historic hammams that survive are from the Ottoman period.
The Turkish bath’s popularity continues to grow, and with the rise of tourism, some hammams have been restored or modernized. Many Turkish hammams still operate today, offering a range of treatments and serving as popular meeting places, reflecting the Turkish philosophy of “keyif”, or taking time to relax.
The Turkish philosophy of keyif, also spelled as keyf, is deeply rooted in Turkish culture and can be translated as “taking time to relax” or “enjoying the little things in life”. It is a way of finding pleasure and contentment in simple moments, often involving leisurely activities, socializing, and self-care. This philosophy in Turkish hammams means visits would take hours, including sessions with attendants, sweating, showering, and enjoying a glass of black Turkish çay tea beside some food or a nap.
Architecture and Layout
A typical Turkish bath boasts awe-inspiring marble architecture adorned with complex tilework. Hammams usually have three main chambers: the cold room (soğukluk), the warm room (ılıklık), and the hot room (sıcaklık). Each chamber serves a distinct purpose in the hammam ritual.
The cold room welcomes visitors with its cool, charming ambiance. From there, you move to the warm room, where your body begins to relax in preparation for the main part: the hot room. In the hot room, heated marble and the high temperature and humidity help to open up the pores, allowing for a deeper cleanse and relaxation.
Cultural and Social Significance
Turkish hammams are more than just places for physical cleansing; they are centers for communal bonding, relaxation, and renewal. They have played a vital role in Turkish society, providing settings for celebrations, social gatherings, and important life events.
- Social Gathering Places: hammams were not just for personal hygiene, but also social elements of city life. People would come together, chat, and make social relations while enjoying the relaxing and intimate environment.
- Separate Space for Men and Women: Turkish spas had separate areas or operating hours for men and women, allowing for privacy and cultural practices.
- Ceremonial and Special Occasions: hammams were often used for special occasions, such as hospitality bathing, military drafting, and weddings.
- Integration with Mosques: many hammams were built beside or close to mosques, allowing worshipers to cleanse themselves before prayer.
Difference between a Turkish Hammam and a Regular Bath
- Cultural significance: Turkish baths have a long history and are still a significant part of Turkish culture, while regular baths are more common and less culturally significant.
- Public vs. private: Turkish hammams are often public, while regular baths are typically private
- Separation by gender: Traditional Turkish hammams have separate sections for men and women.
- Nudity: in Turkish baths, nudity is common and part of the traditional experience.
- Services offered: Turkish spas regularly offer a range of services, including washing, traditional body scrubbing with a handwoven washcloth known as a kese, a foam wash, and a massage.
Turkish Hammams in Istanbul: Where Tradition Meets Urban Elegance
Istanbul, the stunning meeting point of Europe and Asia, has a deep-rooted relationship with Turkish hammams. Amidst the hustle and bustle of this metropolis, these hammams provide urban dwellers and tourists with an oasis of serenity.
Well-Known Istanbul Hammams: Recommendations
Çatma Masjid Hammam:
Çatma Mescit hammam is a historical Turkish bath located in the beyoğlu district. The hammam was built in the 16th century by the renowned architect Mimar Sinan. It is situated in the Niva Plaza Pera Hotel & Hammam, offering a luxurious and traditional bathing experience. It offers various services, including traditional hammam treatment, massages, and relaxation sessions.
Çemberlitaş Hamamı:
Çemberlitaş Hamamı is a historical Turkish bath located in the Çemberlitaş. It was built in 1584 and is often attributed to the renowned architect Mimar Sinan. The Hammam is situated alongside Divan Yolu, a historic procession route dating from the Byzantine era that once connected the city of Rome. Today the hammam offers various services and is known for its cleanliness, hygiene, and historical significance, attracting numerous foreign visitors.
Hurrem Sultan Hammam
Hurrem Sultan Hammam is located in the Sultanahmet neighborhood. The hammam was commissioned by Hurram Sultan, the wife of Ottoman Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent, in the 16th century. It was designed by Mimar Sinan. The hammam offers various services, including traditional hammam treatment, body scrubs, bubble massages, tea breaks, and oil massages. Hurrem Sultan Hammam is one of the most luxurious hammams in Istanbul, offering a unique and opulent experience for visitors.
Ali Paşa Hamamı
Ali Paşa Hamamı is situated in the Tophane neighborhood of Istanbul. The hammam was commissioned by Kılıç Ali Paşa, an Ottoman admiral, and was built by the Mimar Sinan in the 16th century. It was originally intended to serve the needs of the Ottoman navy. This hammam is known for its stunning architecture and peaceful ambiance.
Traditional Turkish Hammam Ritual: A Journey to Renewal
- Entering the Hammam: a Serene Welcome
As you step into the hammam, you will greeted by the cool, refreshing ambience of the cold room. This step is a transition from the outside world to a realm of peace.
- Cleaning the Body: A Purifying Prelude
The next step involves cleaning the body. You will be guided to the warm room, where you can relax and prepare for the main step. You will pour warm water over your body to cleanse and soothe the skin.
- Steaming and Perspiration: The Heart of the Ritual
Here is the heart of the hammam, in the hot room, the air is thick with warmth and steam, as the heated marble slab invites you to recline. Along with washing, purifying, detoxing, and rejuvenation occur when your body starts to perspire.
- Scrubbing and Exfoliation: A Renewed Glow
A knowledgeable hammam attendant will use a traditional kese to exfoliate your skin in the warm chamber. This process involves marrying the old to create room for the new, which goes deeper than just the surface. You will emerge with a beautiful glow as layers of dead skin are carefully removed.
- Foam Massage: A Soothing Embrace
You will get a wonderful foam massage after the exfoliation. Here is where the hammam attendant’s deft hands perform their magic. As the foam envelops your body, stress melts away, leaving you in a state of complete relaxation. The foam is made using a unique soap.
What to wear in a Turkish hammam
Visitors are usually provided with a thin cotton towel, called a peshtemal, a warp themselves in, and a regular towel to use after bathing. Depending on how comfortable you feel, you can either wear your underwear or swimwear under your hammam towel. You are given slippers to wear, so there is no need to bring your shoes to wear inside.
Almost all baths have a dressing section where you can store your belongings securely.
It is important to note that traditional Turkish hammams have separate sections for men and women, and the bathing rituals are similar between the genders.
