Bath House sights in Middle East
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Al-Pasha Turkish Bath
Al-Pasha Turkish Bath is the perfect pampering antidote to the hills and bustle of Amman. The full service includes steam bath, sauna, Jacuzzi, scrubbing, 40-minute massage and two soft drinks, all done in a superb building architecturally faithful to the tradition of a Turkish hammam. There are male and female attendants. Couples are welcome during the day; evenings are generally for men only. It's a good idea to book ahead and bring a pair of swimming trunks.
It's easiest to find if you're coming along Abu Bakr as-Siddiq St (Rainbow St) from the 1st Circle; it's the fifth street on the right. Taxis know it as near Ahliya School for Girls.
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Shotorgalu-ye Safavi
At the centre of Bagh-e Tarikhi-ye Fin (Fin Garden) is Shotorgalu-ye Safavi , a two-storey pavilion. At the rear is the Shotorgalu-ye Qajari, built by the Qajars, with ornately painted ceilings and walls. Nearby is a delightful teahouse, which sells cheap tea and kababs.
But it is the bathhouse that is most historically significant as the place where Iranian nationalist hero Amir Kabir was murdered. Mirza Taqi Khan, known as Amir Kabir, served as prime minister under Nasir od-Din Shah from 1848. He was a moderniser who instituted significant change, especially in the fields of education and administration. But his popularity proved unpopular in the royal court and the sha…
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Hammam al-Jadid
While certainly not new - Hammam al-Jadid was built around 1740 - it was in use until the 1970s and is the city's best-preserved and largest hammam (with the exception of the still-functioning Hammam al-Abd). It was donated as a gift to the city by As'ad Pasha al-Azem, governor of Damascus, and no expense was spared in its construction. Draped over the portal is a representation of a 14-link chain carved from a single block of stone.
A huge, glass-pierced dome dominates the main chamber and brings a dim light to the pool and fountain below. The floor and fountain are laid with slabs of marble in contrasting colours. Several smaller chambers, also with glass-pierced domes,…
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Hamam-e Ganj Ali Khan
Built in the Safavid period, this courtyard is home to what was once Kerman’s most important hammam, the Hamam-e Ganj Ali Khan, now restored and transformed into a museum. Wonderful frescoes adorn the walls and wax dummies illustrate the workings of a traditional bathhouse. The reception area, for example, was divided so men practising different trades could all disrobe together. Look for the ‘time stones’ at the east and west ends of the hammam; translucent, 10cm-thick alabaster doorways through which bathers could get a rough idea of the time according to how light it was outside.
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Hammam al-Samara
The last remaining of five bathhouses in Gaza City, Hammam al-Samara is a gorgeous Mamluk-era bathhouse dating back even beyond the 14th century, when, according to a plaque in the lobby, it was restored by the governor Sangar ibn Abdullah. It has managed to retain its vaulted ceilings and inlaid marble tiled floors, and is still heated by a series of wood-fired ovens and aqueducts.
Because of ongoing restoration work, opening times may change, but if open, it's a great place for a leisurely steam-clean with the locals.
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Hammam-e Sultan Mir Ahmad
Hammam-e Sultan Mir Ahmad is a superb example of an Iranian bathhouse, built around 450 years ago. A recent restoration has stripped away 17 layers of plaster (look just inside the second room to see them) to reveal the original sarough, a type of plaster made of milk, egg white, soy flour and lime, which is said to be stronger than cement. There is usually an English-speaking guide at the door who can show you around.
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Hammam Yalbougha an-Nasry
Originally constructed in 1491, Hammam Yalbougha an-Nasry was one of Syria's finest working bathhouses and something of a city showpiece, yet was closed for maintenance at the time of research with no opening date fixed. If you can manage to get in to take a look around, there's a splendid sun clock inside the dome above reception. If it is operational again, don't leave Aleppo without having a massage and scrub here.
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Hammam al-Pasha
From the end of the Turkish Bazaar, turn right and look out for the Hammam al-Pasha, housed in the 1780 bathhouse built by Al-Jazzar, which remained in use until the 1940s. The Hammam now contains a worthwhile 30-minute multimedia show called 'The Story of the Last Bath Attendant.' The creatively designed exhibit leads you from the dressing room through the steamy rooms, all brilliantly lit with coloured glass.
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Hammam al-Abd
Close by the Madrassa al-Tuwashiyat (on Souq al-Sayyaghin) is Tripoli's only functioning bathhouse, Hammam al-Abd , built in the late 17th century and situated at the end of a narrow alleyway. Sadly, it's only for men (unless you're travelling with a group of women and can arrange to reserve the entire bathhouse in advance). Expect to negotiate an extra fee if you'd like a massage thrown in.
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Hammam-e Vakil
After years as one of the most popular traditional restaurants in Iran, the Hammam-e Vakil was closed because the kitchen was damaging this classic old building. Shame. In early 2008 it reopened as a modest carpet museum, but its future remained uncertain. If it is open in some form, it’s worth popping in for a look at the classic old bathhouse.
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Hammam-e Ali Gholi Agha
In the historic district of Bid Abad, the recently restored Hammam-e Ali Gholi Agha is now a well-maintained (but poorly signed) museum to bathhouses. Fortunately there is information at the entrance, explaining the Qajar-era history and uses of the hammam. English-speaking guides are also available. It’s worth a look.
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Diocletian's Baths
On the north side of the great colonnaded way, four columns standing forward of the line of the portico announce the location of what was once a public bathhouse founded by Diocletian. These columns once carried a pediment over the entrance, but this has been lost. The baths survive only as trenches and as outlines scored in the baked earth.
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Hammams
At least 20 hammams dot the city and they are among the best places to mingle with locals and, should you speak Arabic, catch up on the latest gossip. Not all hammams are keen to take foreigners, so ask your hotel to recommend one locally. Most charge around YRI300 and are open from 06:00 to 19:00. Men and women always bathe separately.
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Hammam Nureddin
If you're a male and visit only one hammam in Damascus, make it busy, men-only Hammam Nureddin, accessed from the spice souq that runs between the Umayyad Mosque and Straight St. Founded in the mid-12th century, it is one of the grandest and oldest functioning hammams in the country. It has an excellent heated steam room.
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Hammam al-Nouri
Opposite the Al-Khairiah Hassan and Al-Nouriyat madrassas, you should see the entrance to the now derelict Hammam al-Nouri , a large public bath built around 1333. If you ask politely, the owner of the juice stand in front of the entrance should let you past to have a wander around the remains of the hammam beyond.
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Hammam Na'eem
Hammam Na'eem, also known as Hammam al-Jedida, is a quiet, clean, friendly, men-only place north of the main souq street. To find it, coming from Bab Antakya along Souq Bab Antakya, take the first left after the start of the corrugated-iron roofing and it's just ahead on the right.
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Roman Bathhouse
The owner of the Cactus Gift Shop, Elias Shama, has excavated an almost perfectly preserved 2000-year-old Roman bathhouse which utilised water from Mary's Well. The shop runs tours for ₪120 for up to four people including coffee. It's located beside Mary's Well.
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Hammam al-Nahaseen
The renovated, men-only Hammam al-Nahaseen, in the heart of the souq just south of the Great Mosque, is open long hours and is still a local favourite despite increasingly attracting tourists.
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Hammam az-Zahariyya
Hammam az-Zahariyya, next to the madrassa of the same name, just north of Umayyad Mosque, has been in use since the 12th century. It's clean and well looked after.
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Hammam al-Qaimariyya
Hammam al-Qaimariyya, north of Sharia al-Qaimariyya and 300m east of Umayyad Mosque, is popular with locals.
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Hammam al-Uthmaniyya
The historic Hammam al-Uthmaniyya, is spotlessly clean and popular with the locals.
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Hammam Bakri
Opposite Beit al-Mamlouka hotel near Bab Touma, is local favourite Hammam Bakri.
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Hammam Abhar
In the old city, Hammam Abhar lies near the Dar al Hayas a Sanania museum.
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