bathhouses

Bathhouses are facilities dedicated to bathing, cleansing, and relaxation. They commonly provide pools or showers, steam rooms or saunas, and spaces for rest or socializing. While the primary purpose is hygiene, bathhouses often serve as community venues where people meet, exercise, or unwind. Some establishments also offer spa treatments, massages, and beauty services, making them part of the broader wellness industry.

Across cultures, bathhouses differ in form and practice. Ancient Rome's thermae offered hot, warm, and cold baths with exercise courts and social spaces. The Turkish hammam uses a sequence of heated rooms and cleansing rituals such as a kese scrub and oil massage. In Japan, onsen (hot springs) and sento (public baths) emphasize mineral baths and etiquette. Russian banyas feature steam, fragrant infusions, and often a plunge into cold water. In modern settings, bathhouses may be public or private, gender-segregated or mixed, and vary in rules and services.

Etiquette includes washing before entering pools, wearing appropriate swimwear or modest attire, and keeping noise down. Hygiene, safety, and accessibility guidelines govern operation, including towel use, footwear, and water quality. Facilities may offer spa services, massage, and rest areas. Bathhouses continue to adapt to wellness trends while preserving traditional practices.