Traditional Turkish hammams, or bath houses, are a blend of Roman and Islamic traditions that have become an established part of Türkiye’s cultural landscape. The concept dates back to the era when the region was under Roman rule. Public baths were central to community life, serving as places for both hygiene and socializing.
With the rise of the Ottoman Empire, these bathing practices merged with Islamic customs. New bath houses incorporated features such as freshly flowing water for complete cleansing. Many hammams were constructed near mosques to allow worshippers to clean themselves before prayers.
Structurally, hammams usually consist of several chambers: a warm outer room, a hot inner chamber, and a cooler area for relaxation after steaming. Marble is commonly used throughout these spaces. Notable examples in İstanbul date from the 15th and 17th centuries and often feature elaborate interiors with marble floors, seating areas, and central stones known as “göbek taşı.” Some also include pools at various temperatures.
The bathing process typically begins by selecting a service package upon arrival. Options may range from self-service bathing to full treatments including scrubs, massages, or other beauty services. Visitors are given items like a kessa (scrubbing mitt), peshtemal (a thin towel worn inside), and disposable underwear before entering the locker room to change.
Inside the hammam, guests move through heated rooms with raised seating where they can acclimate and use metal bowls for cooling off with cold water. If they choose a scrub treatment, an attendant called a tellak will use vigorous techniques on the central marble slab to exfoliate skin—a process considered normal even if intense.
Afterward comes soaping on the göbek taşı followed by rinsing with cold water. The experience concludes in relaxation areas where visitors can rest as is customary among locals.