A Turkish bath, also known as a hammam, is a type of steam bath or a place of public bathing associated with the Islamic world. It is a prominent feature in the culture of the Muslim world and was inherited from the model of the Roman thermae. The Victorian Turkish bath, a variation on the Muslim bathhouse, became popular as a form of therapy, a method of cleansing, and a place for relaxation during the Victorian era, rapidly spreading through the British Empire, the United States of America, and Western Europe. Here are some key things to know about Turkish baths:
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Origins: Turkish baths were inspired by Roman practices in bathing and were built by Arab nations with ornate and intricate mosques and baths that could withstand the elements for hundreds of years.
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Process: A traditional Turkish bath package includes 45 minutes of washing, traditional body scrubbing with a handwoven washcloth known as a kese, a foam massage, and a relaxing period in a cooling room. At most Turkish hammams, you can expect to pay around 25 euro (around $33 USD) for a basic bath, and more like 30 or 35 euro for a scrub by an attendant.
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Etiquette: Visitors are usually provided with a peshtemal, a thin cotton towel to wrap themselves, and a regular towel to use after bathing. It is okay to bring your bathing suit or bikinis, but since few others, and no Turks, will be wearing anything, it’s not recommended for the true experience. Visitors should also bring extra undies, as the pair worn in the hammam will get soaked.
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Locations: Turkish baths arent only found in Turkey. They span the Middle East and Asia, from Morocco to Syria to India, and have even cropped up in Western countries, specifically England. There are several baths in Istanbul, but the oldest and most popular ones are Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Bath, Cagaloglu, Cemberlitas, Suleymaniye, and Galatasaray Baths.
