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Hammams |
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 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 hamam
tradition in the west. A visit to Istanbul cannot be complete
without see 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 sweal. During the Ottoman
period, hammal's were not only places to bathe, but also p]aces
of entertainment. Entertaining activities seasoned with the
music and performances of belly dancers were the most important
social activity for Ottoman women.
In hammams, woman chose their sons' brides to be and girls "presented"
themselves. Even if people's hygienic habits have changed
considerably, there is stil interest in going to hammams thanks
to recreational activities, which are known as "hammam delights."
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Cemberlitas 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
Cemberlitas 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 Cemberlitas |
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Cagaloglu Hammam |
 Historical Cagaloglu 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, Cagaloglu Hammam was chelast big hammam built
during the Ottoman period. It is open 8.00 AM- 8.OO PM for women
and 8.00 AM-10.00 PM for men.
Address: Ismail Gurkan Street. No:
34 Cağaoloğlu |
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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: Tumacibasi Sokak No: 24 Galatasaray
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Haseki Hurrem 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 Hurrem Sultan, the Ukrainian
wife of Suleyman 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 |
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Suleymaniye Hammam |
 This hammam, which was constructed by Architect Sinan in 1557 to
procure funds for the Suleymaniye Complex, was frequently
visited by Suleyman the Magniflcent and Sinan the Architect.
Theroom where Sultan Suleyman had his baths is stili located
within the hammam. Women and men could have their baths together
in this hammam, which is completely in service now for tourists.
lt is open from 8.00 AM to 12.00 Midnight.
Address: Mimar Sinan Sokak. No: 20 Suleymaniye |
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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. lt should be kept in
mind that people can easily fall down when walking with these
wooden clogson wet and sometimes soapy hamam 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 thesebasins is
used by dipping with copper bowls. The big marble base, located
just under the high dome, is called "gobek 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. "
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Anatolian Kavak and Lighthouse