Çembirlitaş Turkish Bath

Çembirlitaş Turkish Bath

Turk  Hamamı

Water is sacred in all religions and it purifies the body and the soul.

That dates back to the romans and Turks turned it into a style combined with the cleanliness and hygienic rules instructed by Islam. When the word "hamam" (bathhouse) which meant the place where you wash yourself, was added to the concept, this style was called a Türk Hamamı ( Turkish Bath ). It became a culture with masseurs, pattens bath stones and marble washing platforms. In the past bathrooms in houses were primitive and here was no running water inside houses. 

Thus, bath-houses were an essential part of the social life, especially of Ottoman women who lived a closed life. Rinsing the baby at the end of his/her first forty days of life, evaluation of young girls by mothers of young men for marriage, and bridal baths prior to weddings were all social activities of the bathhouse culture. Stuffed vegetables ( dolma) beatballs and deserts would be prepared and the level of entertainment would be enhanced with dancers and musicians. Women of wealthy families would also bring their sevants with them. Their pattens and cloths were made from valuable materials and they would leave generous tips.

Çemberlitaş Turkish Bath

This bathhouse was commisioned by Nurbanu Sultan, mother of Sultan Murad III, in 1584. Its architect was Mimar Sinan. It is a double bathhouse with perarated sections for men and women.

Cagaloglu Turkish Bath

This bathhouse was commisioned by Sulhtan Mahmud I. and built in 1741 to raise founds for Halgia Sophia Mosque. Its architects is unknown. It is a double bathhouse with separated sections for men and women. 

Sultanahmet Turkish Bath

It is said that this building was a library build for an important person in the Byzantine era and that was put into service as a bathhouse after some additons were made to it in 1710. 

Suleymaniye turkish Bath.

This bath was built in 1557. The eight marble pillars surrounding the marble washing platform are spectacular.