THE 10 BEST HAMMAM IN ISTANBUL & Historical Turkish Baths

The word “hamam” translates to “a place for bathing” in English. In ancient times, baths were highly developed during the Roman era and were as sophisticated as those in modern developed societies. Roman baths were elaborate facilities consisting of waiting areas, dressing rooms, cold and hot sections, as well as swimming pools. Another significant period for the development of bath culture was during the Ottoman era. Ottoman baths, known as “Turkish baths,” gained worldwide fame.

Fikret Yegül argues that attributing the popularity of baths in Turkish society solely to religion is not appropriate. According to him, the ritual of bathing, which has been continuous throughout the Bronze Age civilizations of Byzantium, Rome, and Anatolia, also stems from a love and appreciation for water.

When examining the societies of Anatolia in the past, along with their religions and the importance they placed on cleanliness and water, we can see that the bath culture dates back a long way. Viewing water as sacred and attributing prosperity to it marked the beginning of bath culture. This culture, originating from Anatolian civilizations, merged with Greek and Roman civilizations over time and continued to evolve. Another contributing factor was Byzantium. The Turkish-Islamic bath tradition emerged as a result of all these interactions.

During the Ottoman period, baths occupied a significant position, much like in past civilizations. Baths found in palaces or mansions were used for bathing, cleansing, and even socializing, while those in smaller homes with lower socioeconomic statuses were not as elaborate, often consisting of just a small bathing area. Baths, frequently encountered within complexes, served as important sources of income due to their popularity and frequent use.

Unlike monumental and ostentatious constructions, Ottoman baths were not built to attract attention. Instead, they developed inwardly, emphasizing creative interior designs and decorations due to high privacy and modesty standards.

Baths were particularly important socializing spaces for women in Ottoman society. Besides cleanliness, women utilized baths for spending time outside their homes, socializing with relatives, friends, or neighbors. It’s known that women in that era had very limited living spaces due to religious reasons. Unable to roam outside alone like modern-day women or have access to any socializing areas or freedoms like men of that time, women used baths as spaces for living and freedom.

Reasons for visiting baths included various celebrations such as postpartum baths, engagement baths, and circumcision baths. It’s also known that women who had practiced prostitution and later left the profession would come to the bath for purification ceremonies known as “kırklandı.” Natrals, who assisted clients in women’s baths, were known to offer prayers and good wishes for the cleansing of women’s souls.

Apart from natrals, there were other staff members working in baths. One example is tellâks, who assisted in men’s baths. Another significant figure was the “hamam anası” or bath mother, who played an important role after the owner in managing the bathhouse. Hamam anası directed incoming clients, showed them where to bathe, and collected fees at the end of the day.

The items used in baths held great importance too. The central protrusion in the “hamam tası” or bath bowl, which dates back to the Phrygians, was believed to represent the navel of the goddess Cybele. The material and adornment of the bowl reflected the economic status of the user. “Buhurdanlar,” incense burners, were used to spread pleasant scents in baths. “Gülabdan,” bottles containing rose water, “peştamallar,” towels used to cover certain body parts, and “nalıns,” wooden sandals used to protect feet from hot floors, were among the most commonly used bath items.

In conclusion, the bath culture, with its ancient roots, continued as an important tradition during the Ottoman period. Changing lifestyles and conditions led to a decrease in the importance placed on baths. Bathrooms, allowing people to bathe quickly and comfortably in their own homes, replaced baths. Although bath traditions are still somewhat upheld in some regions, it mostly serves as an attraction for tourists nowadays.