Hamam – wellness straight out of the Arabian Nights
Especially during the colder months, we long for a warm place of peace and relaxation. It is therefore no surprise that winter draws many of us towards wellness treatments. One particularly special form of wellness is the hamam, an oriental bath in which a special bathing ritual is performed. It is characterised above all by a soothing treatment with steam, followed by a massage with soap foam, with the cleansing of body and mind at its heart. Sounds very promising? In this blog post, we take a closer look at the traditional Turkish ritual.
What is a hamam?
The hamam is a traditional oriental bathhouse that has enjoyed great popularity for centuries. Inspired by Roman bathing culture, the first bathhouses of this kind were built in Istanbul as early as the 15th century. While the hamam in Germany is primarily known as an oasis of calm, in its country of origin, Turkey, it is often used as a meeting place for good conversation.
The ideal preparation for the oriental steam bath
To fully enjoy the “Turkish bath”, you should not only bring pleasant company and plenty of time – the oriental ritual consists of several stages – but definitely also your own hamam towel. This is much thinner than a normal towel and therefore dries more quickly – essential for a visit to the steam bath. What is more, the thin hamam towels can be folded much more compactly and therefore fit easily into any bag!
Two beautiful, timeless examples with fringes are offered by the MÖVE EDEN collection. The lightweight towels are made from a cotton-linen blend, making them ideal for a relaxing journey through the Orient.
To make sure you are perfectly equipped for your hamam visit, you can of course also bring your own wash mitt. As the ideal complement to the hamam towels from MÖVE, the MÖVE EDEN wash mitt in the colour Nature/Black or the MÖVE SUPERWUSCHEL wash mitt in Ivory are excellent choices.
Otherwise, the same applies as with any spa visit: do not forget your bathrobe, swimwear and shampoo, and then the Turkish ritual can finally begin…
How does the oriental bathing ceremony work?
Cleansing with decorative bowls
Your stay in the hamam begins with a bath or shower to cleanse the body of dirt. What makes the hamam special is that the walls are fitted with ornately decorated taps and basins in oriental style. Here, using small decorative bowls, you repeatedly pour warm water over yourself from head to toe at different temperatures. In this way, your circulation is also gently stimulated.
Sweating in the steam bath
Next, wrapped in your thin, large hamam towel, you enter the actual steam bath and are greeted by warm temperatures. These are around 50°C to 60°C – ideal for pleasant and healthy sweating. While your muscles relax, the heat opens your pores – perfect preparation for the later exfoliation…
Relaxing on the warm navel stone
Afterwards, the heated marble slab known as the “Göbek Tasi”, also called the navel stone, invites you to unwind. Here you make yourself comfortable, wrapped in your hamam towel, and let your mind come to rest. If booked, at this point a bath attendant – men are treated by men, women by women – will join you shortly and begin with a thorough exfoliation. Dead skin cells are removed and circulation is stimulated. In the next step, your body is pampered with a gentle foam massage.
Cooling down in the relaxation room
Before returning to the hustle and bustle of everyday life, you should rest a little longer and spend some time in the cooler adjoining room of the hamam. Here, for the perfect finish, it is best to enjoy a soothing cup of tea and let your hamam visit come to a slow and gentle end.