what is hammam?

The hammam or also known as the Turkish Bath and Turkish Bath, is a form of steam bath or a wet version of sauna, which originates from the Middle East. It is mostly influenced by the Roman bath houses called “thermae.” which was a central part of Roman life. The Ottoman Empire popularised the tradition by making the hammams available to people of all classes. Carisma Spa & Wellness is the first spa to introduce the hammam in Malta, you may use the hammam as a facility and also have hammam treatments. 

InterContinental Carisma Spa hammam

History of hammam

​The significance of hammam in the Islamic cultures were both religious and community purposes. It allowed people to have ritual cleansing, general hygiene, and serve a meeting place for the community of both men and women. The remains of bath houses found goes back to the Umayyad period (7th-8th centuries) till the Ottoman period. The architectural structure of the hammams evolved from the layout of both Greek and Roman bath houses and usually included rooms with different needs. These rooms included an undressing room, a cold room, a warm room and a hot room. Heat was regularly generated through furnaces which served for hot water and steam and the hot air and smoke was channelled through conduits under the floor of the rooms. 

Roman Baths in Bath, England

Turkish baths started to emerge during the empire’s growth era which date back to the 14th century. During the Ottoman Empire’s vast reign of much of the Middle East and Eastern Europe, hammams can be found scattered around. The hammams were designed and planned to be the focal point in the city centres which can be accessible to every class of people. This is also the reason why the hammams are generally found beside the mosques, which served as a form of cleansing before entering the mosques to pray. Ottomans integrated the Islamic bath house and Byzantine bath houses due to centuries of war, peace, alliance, trade and competition thus mixing the traditions and culture. 

Ramla Bay Resort Carisma Spa hammam 

what can be done in hammam

Hammam is generally a large communal bathing space which is an elaborately built marble room with tall ceilings and skylights for natural lighting, where you can relax alone as long as you wish. Before you enter a hammam, there are relaxing areas to lay down, chill, and have a cup of tea or a cold drink before or after the bath. 

When you enter the hammam, you will immediately feel the humidity and steam and then you may use the heated marble stones to wash yourself with the fountains that are located all around. Hammam treatment is simple and an effective way of relaxing both mind and body. 

In usual traditional hammams, the therapist or also called the “tellak” in Turkish, will scrub your body with a silk glow which will get rid of the dead skin. After the scrub, your body will be covered in foam which will be also used for massaging. To wash your body the therapist will use copper plates to fill in warm or cold water depending on your preference. You will be experiencing increased circulation and opening of the skin pores that will prepare your body for deep cleansing and exfoliation. Heated air and water help your muscles relax also with the foam massage.

Hammam exfoliation

At Carisma Spa & Wellness, you will be able to do the traditional hammam ritual treatment both with silk and salt exfoliation for sensitive skins. You will be able to also choose to do a face and body mask with hair care in hammam which is a head to toe ritual that takes the benefits of hammam even further. Lastly, we will also be offering specialised hammam treatments that target your face and body goals, combining the traditional Hammam experience with massages and facial treatments. You will be able to have a massage and face mask after your hammam ritual.

Foam massage 

conclusion

The hammam is an impressive room, tiled with antibacterial marble, exquisitely handcrafted and featuring a large dome, several basins, and a heated marble platform at the centre. The antibacterial and earthy marble removes static electricity from the air and helps to relax the mind and body. The hot room is continuously supplied with warm dry air, helping to open your pores and put you at ease. The soft light welcomes you to a harmonious environment for you to rejuvenate and find your inner balance while returning your skin texture to feel like silk.

After the hot water of the steamy room opens your pores, the Turkish hammam ritual uses a salt or silk scrub to exfoliate away your skin impurities and reveal the bright fresh skin underneath. This is followed by a body massage with white foam bubbles and soap. This spa experience leaves you with relaxed muscles, improved blood circulation and relief from aches and pains.