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INFORMATION AND HISTORY OF TURKISH BATHS
The Romans, who have left many examples in the
ancient sites of Turkey, brought the Turkish bath
to Turkey. The Romans, Byzantine and nomadic
people of Asia Minor had their own variations of
bathing rituals.
The Turkish bath was used in most cities by the
common people as they did not have running water
in their homes and while traveling and trading.
Cleanliness is very important to the Islamic
religion and to the Turks in general.
TAKING A TURKISH BATH
Many visitors to Turkey have misconceptions about
Turkish baths and do not know what to expect. For
this reason we will go into more detail of this
enjoyable experience. Traditional Turkish baths
have separate sections for women and men, or have
different visiting times or days for women and
men. Women attend to women and men attend to men
unless a mixed group rents the whole bath.When you
enter a hamam, you will generally see a central
courtyard or "Camekan" where refreshments are
available. Small changing rooms generally surround
this central area of relaxation. There may also be
a marble fountain. You will be provided with a
towel and a "Pestemal" which is a large fringed
garment, normally striped or checked and made of
cotton that you wrap around your body. In
traditional baths the Pestemal is normally worn
during the whole bathing process, but there may be
nudity especially in the women's section. Those
who are particularly modest should bring a bathing
suit. It is recommended to bring your own soap and
shampoo as what is available costs extra and is of
low quality. The bather enters the sweating area
or "Hararet" where there is a low marble platform
called the "Gobek Tasi" which is heated. He or she
spends some time relaxing on this platform. Around
this area, there are normally open cubicles with
marble basins called "Kurne". After you have
perspired, you can either bath yourself by sitting
near the basin and filling it with hot water, then
dipping the "Tas" which is a bowl, traditionally
of copper or brass having grooves and
ornamentation, and pouring it over yourself, or
you may request the attendant to scrub you with a
"Kese" which is normally a coarse mitt made of
natural fibers. This process results in deep skin
cleaning and a feeling of refreshment after the
bath, but note that it can take off layers of your
carefully achieved suntan. Both scrubbing by the
attendant, and a massage are optional features of
the Turkish bath and cost extra. You may stay in
the hamam as long as you like, but generally an
hour is enough. Make sure that you get plenty of
fluids and let yourself cool down before going
outside. In Istanbul it is possible for groups to
rent a section of the bath at certain times if
they would like mixed bathing.For those who
particularly like the Turkish bath and thermal
waters, you may also consider a visit to Bursa,
where some hotels have private thermal pools or
Turkish bath for couples.
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HAMAMS IN ISTANBUL
CAGALOGLU HAMAM
Located in Cagaloglu, near the St. Sophia on the
right side of the Yerebatan (Basilica cistern)
Street. Sultan Mahmud I in 1741 to provide revenue
for the St. Sophia Mosque built these baths. The
architect is unknown. Cagaloglu hamam is a double
hamam with sections for both men and women. It was
unique in its use of Baroque and Classic Ottoman
architectural motifs and was the last of the great
hamams to be built before Sultan Mustafa III
forbade their construction due to the increasing
needs for water and wood in Istanbul. Groups may
rent the hamam.
CEMBERLITAS HAMAM
The Cemberlitas Hamam is located on the Divanyolu
near Cemberlitas (Hooped Column). It was built by
Sultan Murat III's mother, Nurbanu Sultan in 1584
to provide a source of revenue for the Atik Valide
Mosque complex in Uskudar and is the work of the
famous architect Sinan. It was built as a double
hamam with sections for both men and women, but
during the reign of Sultan Abdulaziz (1841-1824)
part of the women's section was destroyed to allow
for the widening of the nearby road so it is
smaller.
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