Hamams or more widely known as Turkish bath houses are available in most Middle East countries each with their own versions in terms of the facilities available. It could be easily be equated with the modern world of sauna facilities available elsewhere either in health clubs, hotels or spa resorts.
Historically, it was said that the hamams really became popular after the Arab conquest of the Middle East and began to spring up in every major city to the point that Baghdad at one point was rumored to have 10,000 of them. This was a great revolution in hygiene because before only the rich could really afford to bathe with any frequency and this opened the practice up to the public.
| read further....... | [−] |
The hamam that we went to, Hamam Al Malik Zahir, is over more than 1000 years and located behind the castle at the Umayad Mosque. It was formerly known as Al Akiki public bath. It is no doubt the oldest remaining public bath (not free though). The hamam has been fully renovated but it still retains the charm and touch of authenticity. We went in and got the whole process which was about 10 dollars. It starts out with a sauna where you stay in for as long as you feel like which is followed by some time in a steam room. This is the most famous part of the hamam where there are stone sinks around the large room with benches between them and a door where steam is bursting forth filling the room.
We spend some time in there until we were one by one called by the staff of the hamam who took something similar to the metal wire brushes you use on dishes and rubs off the first couple layers of your skin. That was fairly painful but you feel cleanse. He then scrubs you with the soap that Damascus and washes it away. After this treatment you go back in the steam room for as long as you want. We spend another 15 minutes and then we washed off and were given fresh towels and sat in the main room cooling off and drinking tea. It was an enjoyable 2 hours experience and we left the hamam elated and feeling fresh especially after the tiring climb up to Makam Arbain earlier.
We spend some time in there until we were one by one called by the staff of the hamam who took something similar to the metal wire brushes you use on dishes and rubs off the first couple layers of your skin. That was fairly painful but you feel cleanse. He then scrubs you with the soap that Damascus and washes it away. After this treatment you go back in the steam room for as long as you want. We spend another 15 minutes and then we washed off and were given fresh towels and sat in the main room cooling off and drinking tea. It was an enjoyable 2 hours experience and we left the hamam elated and feeling fresh especially after the tiring climb up to Makam Arbain earlier.
0 comments:
Post a Comment