Turkish Hammam & All the pieces You Want To Know Earlier than You Attempt One

For sure, one of many quintessential Turkish experiences is visiting a conventional hammam.

Not solely will you allow feeling cleaner than you’ve most likely felt because the day you have been born, nevertheless it’s additionally a really stress-free expertise. In fact, you’re additionally experiencing Turkish tradition and traditions that date again centuries.

Earlier than you might have your first Turkish tub expertise, there are some things you’ll wish to know. Not solely to keep away from embarrassing your self but additionally to stop upsetting anybody!

What Is A Hammam?

Hammams exist throughout Turkey, and in Istanbul alone, there are 237 in place, with 60 nonetheless used every day. 

Hammam is the Arabic spelling of the phrase, however in Turkish, it’s truly ‘hamam.’ You’ll see Hammam referred to in numerous methods and spellings, however they’re all an identical. You’ll additionally hear ‘Turkish tub’ used generally in vacationer resorts, however they’re referring to the identical expertise. 

A Hammam is a steam tub, however the Turkish model has just a few added extras, i.e., it’s much more thorough and leaves you squeaky clear. 

The Historical past Of Hammams

Within the day, hammams have been constructed very near mosques or inside mosque complexes as a cleaning ritual earlier than prayer. As a Muslim, it’s extraordinarily essential to scrub and purify the physique earlier than praying, particularly earlier than going right into a home of worship. 

When taking a hammam, you aren’t solely clear but additionally undergo the sauna, which suggests you sweat out any toxins and impurities, leaving you as clear as doable. Not solely are you bodily clear, however spiritually clear too. 

Throughout Ottoman rule, hammams have been thought of to be a social exercise too. If you consider the ruins of Roman cities we discover lately, there are often remnants of public baths – that is roughly the identical type of factor. Istanbul was previously below Roman rule, and the Ottomans carried on this custom and tweaked it to slot in with native life. 

Historically, hammams have been locations to debate occasions and even gossip. Hammams have been (and plenty of nonetheless are) separated for males and instances for girls, which gave girls an opportunity to get out of the home and gossip with their mates. This might even be thought of a good time to search out potential matches for his or her sons to marry. 

As of late, hammams are a lot much less formal; nevertheless, in Istanbul and different massive cities, you’ll discover that they have an inclination to resemble these from again within the day. Most massive accommodations and vacationer resorts have extra trendy variations of hammams, with extras provided, equivalent to pedicures, fish pedicures, and Swedish massages. 

Totally different Varieties Of Hammam

It’s essential to know that there are various kinds of hammams.

The hammam you’ll expertise within the Turkish accommodations differs from the standard Turkish baths you’ll discover in cities, particularly these in Istanbul.

Should you’re new to the hammam expertise and also you’re feeling a bit nervous, maybe attempt a hammam spa in a lodge first although it’s best to know that these Turkish spa experiences aren’t the identical as you’ll discover within the conventional hammam! 

Every hammam service varies barely. For first-time guests to a Turkish hammam, you should definitely choose a service that features scrubbing and bubble washing. You may as well go for an extra oil therapeutic massage. 

What To Put on In A Hammam

You may be given a wrap to put on; this is called a peştemal. It’s as much as you what you put on beneath the wrap. Most vacationers hold their bikinis or swim shorts on.

What Do Males Put on To Hamman

The standard method is for males to put on the wrap round their waist and take away their underwear.

What Do Girls Put on To Hamman

Nonetheless, girls ought to hold their underwear on, though it’s acceptable to take away your bra, because the wrap covers you always.

For both intercourse, ensure that you don’t by accident flash! This isn’t a great factor to do in a conventional Turkish hammam and might be extremely frowned upon!

What Footwear To Put on To Hamman

You’ll be given your personal slippers to put on, so there isn’t a have to deliver your personal footwear to put on inside.

Reserving A Hammam

You need to e-book upfront. To make sure to not miss out, some locations provide separate instances for women and men to come back. 

Turkish Hammams Choices In Istanbul

• Hurrem Sultan Hammam
• Suleymaniye Hammam 
• Kilic Ali Pasa Hammam
• Tarihi Çeşme Hammam

What Occurs In A Turkish Hammam

Let’s think about the standard expertise right here, as most lodge variations observe the identical sample, though they’re a bit extra laid again.

No Blended-Intercourse Coupling

You may be separated if you happen to’re a mixed-sex couple; no mixing of sexes is allowed in a conventional Turkish hammam.

The individual performing your hammam may also be of the identical intercourse as you.

Lockers

You’ll be given your wrap and slippers once you arrive and proven the place you’ll be able to change. You allow your garments in a locker and hold the important thing round your wrist on an elasticated bracelet or pinned to your wrap.

Sauna

From there, you’ll be taken to the sauna space, which is typically on the identical ground because the hammam itself and generally downstairs.

That is the arduous half for a lot of – it’s a must to sit and actually sweat all of the impurities and toxins out of your physique for round quarter-hour.

It’s scorching, scorching, scorching!

That is known as the ‘hararet,’ and this a part of the hammam is iconic. It’s what you’ll have seen in lots of magazines and web sites selling hammams.

Some hammams enable sexes to combine within the sauna space and a few don’t; this can once more depend upon the place you go. When you’ve sweated all these impurities out, you’ll be taken into the hammam itself.

Marble Slab

Subsequent, you’ll be requested to put on a marble slab in your again. That is referred to as the gobektasi. You’ll be left there for a couple of minutes, after which your attendant will come into the room.

You’re first soaked with heat water, and lots of cleaning soap suds come your method. Whereas these suds are coming at you left, proper, and middle, you’re massaged with what can solely be described as an enormous loofah often known as a – kese – this mitten with scrub off the lifeless cells of your pores and skin (although it could really feel like a layer of pores and skin comes off too!).

Time To Get Clear

This loofah will eradicate all of the lifeless pores and skin cells and impurities that the sauna launched, and also you’ll be requested to maneuver across the slab because it’s taking place, out of your again, onto your abdomen.

Does A Turkish Hamman Damage

It’s meant to be that method as a result of you’ll be able to’t develop into as clear as you’re alleged to and not using a little bit of scrubbing! As soon as the cleaning is over, you’ll be rinsed with chilly water, and sure, it’s chilly! It’s not ache, nevertheless it’s generally a bit uncomfortable.

That is a part of the method and never torture they’re inflicting on you; it’s designed to eradicate all of the cells which were scrubbed away and enhance circulation.

You’ll really feel as clean and recent as a daisy afterward, so remind your self of that when the chilly drench comes your method!

Time To Chill out

As soon as the rinse is over, you’ll be taken to a cooldown space the place you sit and chill out. That is the most effective half; you’ll really feel such as you’re floating on air. There are often bogs and showers right here, too, so you’ll be able to have your personal rinse-off if you happen to please.

Should you select to go down the route of a lodge hammam, it’s at this level you’ll sometimes obtain an oil therapeutic massage and be provided many different providers (pedicures, fish spa, and so forth.). Be warned, they may try to provide the arduous promote, so if you happen to actually don’t need them, be agency and say “no thanks.”

Hammam Ideas To Keep in mind

So inform us, will you attempt a hammam in your Turkey journey!?