Turkish Baths - Hammams

Original hammams, known as all over the world as "Turkish Baths", are among Istanbul's rich inventory of historical monuments. It is a distinctive experience to tour these hammams, some of which are about 500 years

It is a very ancient tradition to construct baths within cities. Yet, the term "hammam" brings the Romans to mind because they combined their advanced engineering skills with their much developed taste for comfort. The Ottomans preserved the hammam tradition of the Romans and built many-new hammams at different points throughout istanbul.
These hammams, combined with the elements of Ottoman culture, have gained a distinctive identity under the name "Turkish bath" with the gradual loss of the hammam tradition in the west.
A visit to istanbul cannot be complete without seeing the historical hammams, some of which trace back to the Roman period.
The main characteristics of Ottoman hammams can be described as follows: They are generally high-domed buildings with large, marble platforms on which people lie and sweat. During the Ottoman period, hammams were not only places to bathe, but also places of entertainment.
Entertaining activities seasoned with the music and performances of belly dancers were the most important social activity for Ottoman women.
In hammams, women chose their sons' brides to be and girls "presented" themselves.
Even if people's hygienic habits have changed considerably, there is still interest in going to hammams thanks to recreational activities, which are known as "hammam delights."

Hammam Etiquette
Usually, there are separate sections for women and men or they can use the hammam at different hours of the day. On the contrary to a common belief about hammams, nobody has a bath naked. Visitors cover their bodies with a special cloth of silk or cotton, called
"peshtemal" at all times. Special wooden hammam clogs, called takunya, are worn. It should be kept in mind that people can easily fall down when walking with these wooden clogs on wet and sometimes soapy hammam floors. The usually high-domed main section of the hammam is generally
quite warm and this can be problematic for cardiac patients. In this main section, there are "kurnas," which are low, big marble basins attached to the walls. Hot water in these basins is used by dipping with copper bowls. The big marble base, located just under the high dome, is called "gbbek tasi," which means the core stone. Upon request, the service of rubbing and massage with a "kese," a rough mitt, on this stone is usually offered. Male employees offering this service are called "tellak" and female employees are called "natir."

Çemberlitaş Hammam
This is one of the most famous hammams of Istanbul. It was designed by Architect Sinan in 1584 and built by Nurbanu Sultan, who was the mother of the Ottoman Sultan Murat III.
The Çemberlitaş Hammam, which offers service for women and men separately, is open every day from 6.00 AM
to 12.00 Midnight.
Address: Vezirhan Sokak.
No: 8 Çemberlitaş
Phone:(+90 212)520 18 50

Cağaloğlu Hammam
Historical Cağaloğlu Hammam was built by Sultan Mahmut I in 1741 in order to procure funds for the Hagia Sophia Mosque.
A Baroque style was adopted in building this hammam, which has separate sections for women and men, and features some new, non-Ottoman architectural elements as well.
Since the construction of big hammams was banned in 1768 due to the increasing water and wood needs of the city, Cağaloğlu Hammam was the last big hammam built during the Ottoman period.
It is open 8.00 AM - 8.00 PM for women and
8.00 AM - 10.00 PM for men.
Address: Ismail Gürkan Street.
No: 34 Cağaloğlu
Phone: (+90 212) 522 24 24

Haseki Hürrem Hammam
This hammam, which is located between Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, was built as the biggest hammam in Istanbul by Sinan the Architect upon the request of Hürrem Sultan, the Ukrainian wife of Süleyman the Magnificent.
There are separate entrances for women and men at the opposite ends of the long, rectangular-shaped structure. Restored in 1980, the hammam is now used only for the exhibition and sale of authentic carpets and rugs.
Address: Ayasofya Meydani
No: 4 Sultanahmet
Phone: (+90 212) 638 00 35

Galatasaray Hammam
One of the most popular hammams for tourists visiting Istanbul is the Galatasaray Hammam located in Taksim, which today is the center of Istanbul's cultural and recreational activities.
Built in 1715, the hammam was originally situated within a mosque complex.
This hammam is open from 8.00 AM to 7.00 PM for women and from 7.00 AM to 10.00 PM for men.
Address: Turnacıbaşı Sokak
No: 24 Galatasaray
Phone: (+90 212) 252 42 42

Süleymaniye Hammam
This hammam, which was constructed by Architect Sinan in 1557 to procure funds for the Süleymaniye Complex, was frequently visited by Süleyman the Magnificent and Sinan the Architect.
The room where Sultan Süleyman had his baths is still located within the hammam.
Women and men could have their baths together in this hammam, which is completely in service now for tourists. It is open from 8.00 AM to 12.00 Midnight.
Address: Mimar Sinan Sokak.
No: 20 Süleymaniye
Phone: (+90 212) 520 34 10