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Owing to the
emphasis placed on cleanliness in Turkish society, there have been
public bathhouses ("hamam") in Turkey since medieval times. There
are separate baths for men and women, or, when there is only one
bathhouse in the town, different days or times of day are allocated
for men and women. After entering the "hamam" and leaving one's
clothes in a cubicle, one proceeds wrapped in a towel ("pestamal")
to the "göbektasi", a large heated stone where one perspires and is
rubbed down by a bath attendant.If the heat proves too much, one can
retire to a cooler room for a while. This method of bathing is most
refreshing and many of the old marble baths are very interesting,
architecturally. |
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Hint: visit Hamam in the beginning of your vacation to scrub away the tiredness and old skin cells to be ready for a relaxing holiday! |
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Like the harem, this Roman and Byzantine tradition was adopted and then perfected by the Selcuk Turks, for whom the public bath
took on an important role. It was not merely a place where believers could fulfill the Islamic precept of cleanliness. It was a place in which to mingle, socialize and gossip. Women would proceed from their harem to the hamam with great
ceremony, accompanied by servants heavily-laden with delicacies to tide the ladies over the hours they would spend lounging in the steam. The young women used this opportunity to show off their ornately embroidered towels and ivory inlaid
slippers, not to mention their youthful figures, while older women would spot potential wives for their sons. Men would discuss the latest court scandal or talk business and politics. Contrary to popular ideas, hamams have always been either
permanently designated for one of the sexes, or have a separate schedule for men and women. |
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Click on the photo to enlarge |
Click on the photo to enlarge |
Click on the photo to enlarge |
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