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Are you looking for a trip to Turkey and planning to take a relaxing bath at a traditional Turkish bath? This article will tell you all about Turkish baths and hammams! 

What is a Turkish Bath (Hammam)? 

So, before beginning our guide, let's answer a commonly asked question: What is a Turkish bath?  

A Turkish bath, also known as a hammam, is a traditional public bath where you can enjoy warm water and massage. Despite being an ancient tradition, these baths still play a prominent role in Turkish culture, traditions, and social life. 

If you want to experience what a Turkish bath is, you can check out Istanbul tours with Turkish bath trips. 

A Brief History of Turkish Baths 

The Turkish bath as a concept goes back thousands of years, with the first true examples emerging in ancient Greece. These early prototypes were merely establishments where one could go and take a bath. Of course, throughout history, the significance and function of the hammam Turkish bath constantly changed. Turkish baths first became popular during the ancient Roman period. Called thermae, Roman baths were almost identical to the modern Turkish baths: large communal spaces dedicated to socializing and cleaning. Thermae were places where people got to know each other, talked about politics, and spent time with their friends. 

When Turks conquered Anatolia in the 11th century, they inherited the bath culture of the Romans. Although the function and etiquette of Turkish baths were almost identical to those of ancient Roman counterparts, Turks added to the architectural style. One highlighted function of Turkish baths, however, was a place for the cleansing ritual. 

In Islam, a person must be clean before prayer. That's why there's a cleansing ritual, called abdest in Turkish and wudu in Arabic. So, most mosques have a special fountain where prayer-goers can perform the said ritual. Since hammams offered complete cleansing, many mosques were established around prominent mosques. 

Today, however, Turkish baths exist as a space where one can relieve oneself from the stress of daily life and take a respite from the rat race. While Turks no longer hit the hammam regularly, it's a social institution that allows friends and family to spend quality time together.   

The Cultural Significance of Hammams in Turkey 

As mentioned above, hammams are not only functional spaces but also social and cultural institutions. Historically, locals gathered in hammam when they wanted to chit-chat, spend time, and enjoy a relaxing bath with their friends. Baths were also places where people could debate a wide range of topics, from politics to spiritual matters. Basically, they were of great importance in the social life of Ottoman or pre-Ottoman Turks. 

Although the introduction of coffee houses and other public establishments did cause a decline in the hammam's role as a public space for socializing, one aspect of Turkish baths did continue: entertainment. Both men and women regularly went to hammams up until the last few decades to sing, dance, and have fun with their acquaintances. 

Gelin hamamı, which is Turkish for "the bride's hammam (day)", is a ritual that's still preserved in most parts of Turkey. What happens in a Turkish bath during this ritual is similar to a food-and-bath-oriented rave party. On a predetermined day, female relatives of both the bride and groom go to a hammam for a bath. They bathe, gossip, eat traditional dishes, indulge in sweets, and finally end the ritual by singing and dancing. 

The Traditional Hammam Ritual: Step-by-Step Guide 

The traditional Turkish bath ritual completely focuses on cleansing and relaxation. You first head to the hot room to sweat and relieve yourself of stress. Then comes the scrubbing and foam massage, carried out by specialized masseurs (tellak). Finally, you're taken to a special area to cool down. Let's further explore each step! 

The Hot Room