History of Hamam

History of bath goes back to Romans. Excavations made in Pompeii that stayed under ashes when Vesuvius Volcano exploded, revealed baths used by Romans. 

It is understood that those baths are not only used for cleanness but also for pleasure and entertainment.

As there were class distinctions between Romans, entrance doors of nobles and slaves and places they bathed were separated.
There were also steam bath places, cold and warm water pools in Roman baths
Ottomans conquered Istanbul physically but Byzantine, who reflected rich cultural influence inherited from Romans, conquered Ottomans with their baths like many other things.

In the most magnificent period of empire, there was always one bath only for women at certain days of the week with hot and cold baths, fountains, marble rooms with dome in each district of the city.

Religion was the main reason of significance of baths in Ottoman culture. According to Koran, being clean was not just an important part of religion; it was essential.

These marble temples helped creation of a social life consisting of bathing, massage and conversations. Friendships and finding chance of marriages were also important factors as much as health and religion.

These were the only places where Ottoman women, living behind closed doors, could become socialized. Even rich women used to visit baths in district at least once a week, although they had special house baths.

They used to go to baths in company of servants, together with towel, brush, henna, eye liner, a Cretan soup and pattens with mother-of-pearls.This ceremonial preparation arose from spending nearly the whole day in bath, instead of few hours.

Turkish bath tradition, representative of cleanness, healing, entertainment and social sharing for thousand years, has been reinterpreted at Artemis Hamam.According to today’s understanding;Artemis Hamam is offering purifying power of water in a unique atmosphere covering both past and today for its visitors.