The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1902-01-21
TURKISH BATHS IN TURKEY


TURKISH BATHS IN TURKEY
Nearest Approach to Them II Known
~ the Hammam.
..Is the Turkish bath known in Tur-
keyT This curious question Is not In
frequently put to travellers from the
east by people in this country. 1t IL
true there Is not much resemblance be-
tween the external appearance and
management of the so called Turkish
bath In England and those of the ham,
nam in Turkey.
Outwardly the hammam usually pre-
sents something of the appearance of a
domed sepulchral edifice. OF the little
domes or cupolas which arise from its
roof that In the middle is the highest
and Is set with many small windows
for the purpose of lighting the bath.
The massive walls that form the sides
Of the hammam have no windows, and
1t is thought that II the walls were
pierced the outside cir would penetrate
into the interior and cause variations
In the evenness of temperature which
1t is held desirable to maintain. The
interior thus often becomes very close.
as ventilation Is slow, being only
through the opening by passers to and
fro Of the double doors of the passage
which leads to the cool entrance hall
Every now and then the attendants
burn frankincense in the interior Of the
bath, with the idea of purifying the
air.
The great warm ball under tie GEN.
tral dome has generally three large
inches as well as two little chambers.
Each Of these inches and chambers
has roof In the shape of a half hernI-
sphere. which contains few tiny glass
apertures and which is Joined to the
central dome roof. In all these inches
and chambers there are, according to
the size Of the bath. one. two or three
marble basins, which are fixed In the
low part Of the wall, each basin being
provided with hot and cold water taps.
Around these basins people sit on
marble or wooden seats, which are
raised about five or six inches above
the fioor,- and seated thereon they have
their bath. The little chambers can be
engaged for private use on application.
The entrance hall is square shaped
and has galleries running along on
each side, in which are many beds.
The bathkeeper Is always to be seen
In his place close to the door. smoking
his pipe or nargile and saluting the
customers who come and 60. In the
middle Of the entrance hall Is a foun-
tain, the pure and cold water Of which
Is ceaselessly splashing into Its marble
tank. In this water fresh fruits and
bottles Of lemon squash are kept cool
| In summer time for the use of custom
ers. Near It man may be seen always
busy making coffee on the charcoal
dre, for most people are ever ready to
take tiny cup Of coffee at almost any
time Of the day.
Many Of the Turkish baths are built
double, one portion being assigned for
| the use of ladies'. In some places ladies
| go to the baths only on certain days of
the week, which are consecrated to
| them. Certain baths, again, are used
| by them every day until O'Clock in
the evening, after which they are made
over for the use of men. The charges
are very reasonable. a man can have
a complete bath and may stay on the
premises of the establishment as long
as he pleases by paying about Is. Sd.
Ladies pay much less than this sum.
Their expenses can hardly be much
over sixpence, as they take all their
own soaps, towels and clogs with them.
What they pay is really the water fee
and penny or two for the attendant.
A new feature which has been intro
duced into the old Turkish bath is the
cold water i1ouche, which it is becom-
ing customary for the people to take
after their hot bath.-Review Of the
/ Week