One of the highlights of my stay in Istanbul was visiting a Hamam (Turkish Bath). The Hamam has been around since the beginning of the Ottoman Empire. When the Ottomans captured a city, they would build a series of public structures such as soup kitchens for the poor, mosques, shopping centres, hospitals and hamams. The hamam was one of the most popular buildings in an Ottoman city for it was a public place to socialize, and ritually cleanse oneself.Hamams were broken into two sections: one for men and one for women, with each section usually symmetrically equal in size. "A person taking a Turkish bath first relaxes in a room (known as the warm room) that is heated by a continuous flow of hot, dry air allowing the bather to perspire freely. Bathers may then move to an even hotter room (known as the hot room) before splashing themselves with cold water. After performing a full body wash and receiving a massage, bathers finally retire to the cooling-room for a period of relaxation."
Arguably the best Hamam in Turkey, Çemberlitaş Hamamı in Istanbul was built by the great architect Sinan, in 1584. It has remained open to this day, offering services which have changed little over centuries. The experience of visiting a Hamam is a Top 10 highlight of Istanbul. It's incredible - so relaxing and therapeutic. Once you leave the Hamam you are completely relaxed and cleaner than you have ever been in your life. Don't miss it!Check it out:
http://www.cemberlitashamami.com.tr
No comments:
Post a Comment