hammam

The Turkish Hamam is a traditional bathing and cleansing place in Turkish culture. It is a type of public bath that can be visited by both men and women, but in separate areas.


Visiting a hammam begins in an anteroom where you undress and receive a towel or pestemal (a traditional Turkish bath towel). You then enter the actual bathing room, which is lined with marble tiles and has a central raised platform called a "göbektaşı".


On this platform, one lies down and is doused with warm water by a "Tellak" (bather) and scrubbed with a special glove called a "Kese" to remove dead skin cells. This is followed by a soapy massage with olive oil soap, which cleanses the body thoroughly.


After the cleansing, you can relax in a relaxation room and drink a cup of Turkish tea. A visit to the hammam is not only a physical cleansing, but also a social event where you spend time with friends and relax.