hammams

Hammams, or public baths, are bathhouses that use heated, humid air to cleanse and relax the body. They are a central element of traditional bath culture in the Islamic world, especially in North Africa, the Levant, the Gulf region, and the Balkans. The term hammam is often associated with the Turkish bath, but the concept exists in various regional forms. Architecture typically incorporates a sequence of rooms with increasing heat and humidity, and spaces are commonly lined with marble or tile to retain warmth. The ceiling is frequently domed to improve steam circulation.

The typical layout includes a washing or changing area and successive rooms that become warmer and hotter. Visitors move from a cooler space to a warm room and then a hot room, taking advantage of the humidity and rising temperatures to cleanse the body. Water is provided in basins or troughs, and benches along the walls offer places to sit and relax. In many traditions, a kese, a coarse exfoliating glove, is used to scrub the skin, often followed by soap and rinsing. Attendants may offer massages or oil treatments as optional services.

Etiquette and accessibility vary by region. In traditional settings, men and women may have separate hours or days, though some facilities are co‑ed or operate as modern spa venues. Visitors typically remove outdoor clothing, cover modestly, and use towels or pestemal wraps as needed.

Historically, hammams evolved from late antique public baths and flourished in the Ottoman era as social and cultural centers. Today, many continue as municipal amenities or as spa facilities that preserve traditional cleansing rituals alongside contemporary services.