The Cagaloglu Hamam is among the most notable traditional Turkish baths in Istanbul. It was constructed during the 18th century and is considered to be the last hamam built in Istanbul during the Ottoman reign.
Design
The design of this cultural spa was made by some of the leading architects in the empire and its architecture is still a great example of the magnificence and the power of the Ottomans. The hamam was also the only one of its kind in Istanbul built within the former mosque of Hagia Sophia. This spa has bath which consists of two major sections – one for men and another one for women. It is still among the most preferred places for relaxation and entertainment and has kept almost every fragment of its original architecture. And because of its traditional atmosphere and key location it is visited by thousands of tourists from over the world. There are two separate entrances, and the one for women is the main one. Inside there are three rooms – a cold room, a warm room and a hot room
Cold rooms
In the cold room visitors are introduced to the bath. They are asked to change their clothes and to place them in special dressing rooms that are their convenient during the whole stay. In the dressing room visitors are allowed to leave their personal possessions. From the cold room, the guests receive detailed information about the experience in each room. They receive a towel – which they have to wear while being in the bath. As soon as they get their towels they are ready for their experience.
Warm rooms
The warm room is an inevitable part of your Turkish bath experience. In this room visitors have the chance to adapt their bodies to the temperature that awaits them in the hot room. Compared to the cold room where the temperature is moderate, in the warm room it is hotter because of regular steam flows. This is the room where you prepare yourself for the real experience. Visitors can stay in the warm room as long as they want and in the meanwhile, they are served with some traditional Turkish beverages.
Hot rooms
The temperature here is more than 50 C so if you have any health problems or think that you will not stand the heat, it will be better for you not to enter the hot room. In this section, visitors lie on a round – shaped platform enjoying the authentic Turkish bath procedures such as washing and peeling. They also take the advantage of trying one of the massages offered in the hamam such as peeling massage, foam massage and the traditional massage. Usually, after the stay in the hot room, guests feel a little tired and they ted to have a nap in the special rooms for rest.
Rest rooms
They are spacious enough and will provides you the relaxing atmosphere you need.
A visit to the CagalogluHamam is really worth experiencing. The atmosphere there can meet the expectations even of the most sophisticated clients. So if you ever travel to Istanbul and want to have a lifetime experience, this Turkish bath is the decision for you.