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TURKISH BATH (HAMAM or HAMMAM)
The Turkish bath, also know as
hamam or
hammam, is one of the ancient
world's most widely exported customs. The tradition of the Turkish bath was
born generations ago, adopted from Romans
and Byzantines
and then perfected by the Seljuk
and
Ottoman Turks and has continued even until today.
There are three traditional and a couple modern
Hamams
in
Cappadocia. They all offer the same Hamam facilities but we suggest
the traditional ones in Urgup,
Nevsehir and Avanos
which have historical buildings.
"What happens in a Hamam?"
Well, the ritual is simple. After being driven to one of the
hamams in Cappadocia by our
driver, you will find yourself in the
camekan, a hall lined with changing cubicles. In an old-fashioned
hamam this is the most impressive part, with a drinking fountain in the
center or sometimes a marble pool with a water jet. Before your encounter
with water, an attendant leads you into the
Sogukluk (cold room) where
you adjust to the heat. Next, wearing only a
Pestemal (a large striped
or checked towel fringed at both ends and wrapped around the chest), and
clanking on the marble floor in your
nalins (clogs), you pass through a wooden door and reach the core
Sicaklik
(hot room).
Sicaklik (also known as Hararet), is a high room filled with the
sound of splashing water, the scent of soap, and wafting steam through which
daily concerns and worries cannot penetrate. In the gentle moist heat your
body relaxes, and your nerves are soothed. You sit down at one of the marble
wash basins which line the walls, and adjusting the temperature of the water
to a delicious warmth, dip the copper bathing bowl into the basin and tip
the water over your head and body. Waves of relaxation seem to pour right
through you as the water ripples down
Then your attendant (tellak
for men and
natir for women) will pour hot water on you and then begin to
scrub every square inch of your body. Basically, every millimeter
of dead and dirty skin is scrubbed off, even the skin between your fingers
and toes.
Afterwards you are lathered with liquid soap and shampoo and given the
choice of a full body
massage (a little bit painful for the first time, but said to be
well worth). The men and women working in the Turkish Hamams are known to
give extremely invigorating massages. If you're up for it, let them work
away your stress and weariness.
The massage will start at your neck and work every muscle down the entire
length of your spine to your feet. This is especially wonderful and
guaranteed to make you feel relaxed. You will roll over, and the attendant
will wash you from head to toe again as if you are a small child. One last
shower and then it is time to leave the Sicaklik, steam room.
Then you are given fresh towels and again brought to Sogukluk (the cool room)
to
rest, dry off, drink tea, coffee or refreshments and socialize with
other locals and tourists which are now "Hamamers".
After one hour, it is time to go. You will get up and get dressed and as you
pass from the bathing rooms take a fleeting look at yourself in the mirror.
Your skin will be glowing rosily. But
you will feel it, as soft as a baby's skin. Our driver will be
waiting you to drive you back to the hotel.
Turkish Bath or
Hamam experience for one hour is 25 USD per person including
transfers, scrub
and massage.
Please send us an email (nesetour@nesetour.com)
for further information and booking |
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