Istanbul’s Historic Hammams Revive Ancient Bathing Tradition

AFP/APP

Istanbul: Istanbul’s historic hammams, once central to Ottoman society, are undergoing restoration efforts to revive a centuries-old bathing ritual that has long been an integral part of Turkish culture. Though these bathhouses fell out of use with the advent of running water, they are now being restored to preserve both their cultural and architectural significance.

The Zeyrek Cinili Hammam, a 500-year-old bath house built during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent by the renowned Ottoman architect Sinan, is one of the most prominent examples. After a painstaking 13-year restoration, it reopened to the public last year.

The restoration process uncovered valuable historical insights, including the discovery of approximately 3,000 missing tiles, which helped explain the bathhouse’s name, “Cinili” — Turkish for “covered with tiles.”

The museum located within the hammam displays these intricately designed Iznik tiles, once exclusive to this location. These tiles had been damaged over time by fires, earthquakes, and antiquities dealers but remain a testament to the building’s rich heritage.

The restoration also unearthed Byzantine cisterns beneath the hammam, believed to have been incorporated into its foundation for water supply, showcasing the innovative architectural planning of Sinan.

Historically, hammams were not just places for cleansing the body but also for socializing, relaxing, and celebrating important life events such as weddings and births. In the Ottoman Empire, these bathhouses were a cornerstone of communal life, and records from the 17th century show that Istanbul boasted over 14,000 public and private baths.

Today, hammams continue to serve as cultural hubs. “You come here to get clean and leave handsome,” said Zafer Akgul, a visitor at one of the city’s hammams. “We don’t want this tradition to die.”

Restoring these historic bathhouses plays a critical role in preserving Istanbul’s cultural heritage. As archaeologist Gurol Tali explained, these efforts are vital for passing the tradition onto future generations, ensuring that the cultural significance of hammams is not lost.

However, while these ancient bathhouses continue to attract local visitors, the experience has become increasingly popular among tourists. Manolya Gokgoz, who works with Cemberlitas Hammam, a 16th-century bathhouse also designed by Sinan, notes that most current visitors are foreign tourists. “In the past, we used to go to the hammam with our mothers and grandmothers. Now, 70 percent of our customers are foreign tourists,” she lamented.

Despite the shift toward tourism, the hammam tradition remains cherished by many. The once-ubiquitous practice of communal bathing, which fostered a sense of community, continues to serve as a link between generations.

Gokgoz stresses the importance of keeping this tradition alive, despite the conveniences of modern plumbing. “Hammam is not a luxury, but a need,” she said. “Yes, it’s not like in the past because we have hot water at our fingertips, but we need to keep this tradition alive.”

The hamams of Istanbul, through their restoration and continued use, are more than just historic relics—they are living monuments to the city’s rich cultural heritage.