 Istanbul Guide |
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Congress Centers 
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Turkish Bath (Hamam) 
The Hamam was much more than just a place where believers could fulfill the Islamic precept of cleanliness. It was intimately bound with everyday life, a place where people of every rank - rich and poor, young and old, could come freely to mingle, socialize and gossip. Women used to proceed from the Harem to the Hamam with great ceremony, and were even accompanied by servants. The young girls used this opportunity to show off their embroidered towels and clogs while older women would choose potential wives for their sons. Men as well as women made use of the Hamam, although of course at separate hours. Men would talk mostly business and politics. 
Traditionally, a whole range of paraphernalia is associated with the hamam. The pestamal, a colourful, checked cloth which is wrapped around the waist by men is still in use. Takunyalar, or wooden clogs, often inlaid or carved, have generally been replaced by plastic flip-flops. Soap, shampoo and other toiletries were carried in hand crafted copper or even gold plated tarak kutusu, literally comb boxes, and a copper tas was used to pour water over the bather. While some of these are no longer used, they are still widely available to buy, and are guaranteed to add to the pleasure of the hamam experience. 
A raised marble platform graces the centre of the hararet. Known as the gobek tasi, or navel stone, it is positioned above the wood or coal furnaces which heat the hamam. The bather lies here for a vigorous massage or a kese, which involves the removal with a rough cloth glove of a lifetimes worth of dead skin. On leaving the hamam, you may recover with a cold drink in the camekan or simply stretch out on the reclining couch in your private changing cubicle. 
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