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| Turkish baths reflect the Ottoman tradition where the body begins to breathe |
For centuries, Istanbul's hammams have been a source of delight and comfort for tourists and locals alike. These bathhouses are part of the city's rich cultural and historical heritage, reflecting the presence of the Ottoman tradition.
What makes this experience unique is that these are not just bathhouses but more than that, where people get the benefits of physical healing as well as spiritual rejuvenation through a combination of steam, water, and massage.
It is said that there were once 230 baths in the streets and alleys of Istanbul, but now only about 60 of them are in use. Their traditional marble floors and ceilings decorated with beautiful calligraphic patterned tiles allow visitors to immerse themselves in a unique atmosphere and make them feel closer to the ancient Ottoman palaces.
Each bath has its own individual amenities.
Tour guide and TV host Elizabeth Kormelo is one of Turkey's foremost hammam experts. During his more than 30-year career as a licensed tour guide, he has dived into 2,000-year-old baths, luxury hotel spa baths, and hole-in-the-wall baths, and traveled across Turkey. More than 160 baths have been tested. And she is also the co-host of an upcoming documentary on Turkish bath culture.
Here she shares her five favorite hammams in Istanbul and what makes them great.
Huraym Sultan Hamam
It provides a luxurious bath experience worthy of sultans. It is the only magnificent bath built by the royal family and is located in the compound outside the palace.
It is named after Begum Khas and Queen of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and was designed by the 16th-century Ottoman architect Sinan. It was only for the use of sultans and important pilgrims.
This bath building was built in the 16th century on the site of Turkey's first bath, known as Zeaxapse in ancient Greek. Not many people know this but over time it was used as a prison and also as a carpet or damp store. It was then eventually restored to its original purpose of construction with an interior of wavy white marble and gold work.
Its tranquil surroundings include the baths' own soundtrack for the perfect echo within the ancient building's walls. The hammam has four different stages or sessions designed for different needs ranging from the most traditional massage and massage on a heated Marmara marble platform to full body mud wraps and aromatherapy treatments.
Kormelo says to refresh the senses after a bath, drink a homemade sherbet, which was made from fruit juice in the Ottoman Empire and served as a special treat to guests.
Ali Pasha Hamam
"Kulch Ali Pasha Hammam is located inside a historic and grand building and has been restored with the utmost sophistication and sophistication to provide a true hammam experience," says Kurmello.
Walking into the kaemgah (lounge), the grandeur of the building is evident from its impressive central dome. It is one of the largest domes in Istanbul. It was designed by the master architect Sinan and ordered to be built by the famous Ottoman admiral Kılıç Ali Paşa.
It was built between 1583-1578 for naval service as part of the mosque and seminary building. It quickly became a landmark building in the Krakow neighborhood on the shores of the Bosphorus.
The bath area is wide with separate services for men and women. Cormello said: 'This bath is special because it always reminds me of women coming forward. Historically it was for men only, but when it reopened a decade ago, it is open to women during the day until noon and offers services to men in the evening.'
Special servants Nasir and Tilak are also arranged here. The female attendants are called nadirs while the male attendants are the tilaks who assist you on your journey to the bath. They help you with various rituals, from dressing you in a pasta meal (the classic cotton bathing suit). In which they work from massaging, and body scrubbing to bathing you.
Afterward, it's good to relax in the lounge and indulge in some traditional refreshments and delicacies at the cafe, says Cormello. You can drink syrup or lemonade there.
Chamberlitash Baths
"Chamberlitaş Hammam is a magnificent example of the art of the renowned Ottoman architect Sinan," Kormello says. I like its slightly aged rust color.'
He explained that this bath was built in the year 1584. The multi-domed structure is characterized by an impressive arch system and palatial interior design. This bath retains much of the original design in terms of function, beauty, and comfort.
The Hammam is located near some of Istanbul's great monuments, the Grand Bazaar and the Blue Mosque. The staff greets you without fuss at the door of the bath and takes you to a warm room where your pampering begins.
From the seakale (hot room) to the excrement in the Sultan's Baths, every cell of your body is treated after passing through each room.
It will start breathing. Each room is separated by arched doorways with carvings and marble walls.
For extra relaxation, you can have an Indian-style head massage and body mud wrap.
Quadruple bath
Kormlu said that the shape of the Chokarjama Hamam is completely different from other Hamams. It is bathed in white color giving a sense of mystic type atmosphere. We do not know its original architect.
Chowkarjama Hammam is located in the Chokarjama Azad Mashrab neighborhood and has been a famous historical place for almost two centuries. 'The original bath was made of wood which was burnt down, but the new building that replaced it has retained some of the wood to pay homage to the original,' added Corumlo.
It was originally built in the 1830s. After a long renovation, the bath was finally reopened in 2018.
Its interior retains its white marble with neutral stone and wood materials to restore the grandeur of a bygone era.
However, Cormello says the Chokerjama Hammam brings a breath of fresh air to its traditional domed ceilings with modern interior terraces and hidden lounge areas. Natural light from high ceilings illuminates the surroundings and small windows and skylights keep the space bright and airy.
He added: 'Take some time to explore the surrounding area as well, as this is one of the only hammams with a visible neighborhood.'
Only five people are allowed in this bath at a time for a sense of solitude. Interestingly, it is one of the few mixed-gender baths in Istanbul today. Yet the hammam offers a traditional experience, with body scrubbing and bubble baths on hot marble stones. Treat yourself to a body massage with organic oils to refresh yourself.
Generally bath
Unlike other large baths, Janeli Hammam feels intimate and comfortable. It's in a little-known street in the non-touristy neighborhood of Skoder on the Anatolian coast of the Bosphorus, and it's just off the beaten path. Although it is more difficult to reach, from the moment you enter this hammam it gives you a less glamorous but authentic hammam experience. Kormlow said: 'When you walk in, you can smell the cedar wood coming from the cedar of the traditional changing cabin and see the famous fountain in the middle of the welcome area.'
The Janeli Bath House was ordered to be built in 1640 by Sultan Ahmed I's Queen Alia and his wife Kusum Sultan. Unfortunately, she died before the completion of the women's section of the bathhouse, but her brother continued the construction.
She says that the architecture of the bathroom has not changed till today. Even the outer domes have been preserved as a result of a little restoration effort. Janelli means 'with blue porcelain' and is so named because of its magnificent interior, restored with blue stones and tiles.
Cormello says: Usually our bath domes have more than one 'elephant-eyed light', but this one has only one so it's a bit dark and gloomy but also cozy, and here It also feels like a cocoon. This makes it more of an ordinary human bath than a grand royal bath.'
The baths retain their original ancient heating system, heating their rooms with a huge wood-fired boiler that circulates the heat through pipes that run around the baths. Traditional and simple bath services are offered here. Janelli's scrubbing, bubble massage, and optional oil massage are enough to make men and women who come here feel completely cleansed.