AYASOFYA HURREM SULTAN HAMAMI

After the long journey, this was our treat on the first afternoon in Istanbul. It was also cold and raining, which made it feel it even more right.
Apart from being a relaxing place it’s also an amazing site (architecturally speaking).

The Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hamam in Instabul was designed and built by Mimar Sinan, the chief Ottoman architect. It was built under the request of Hurrem Sultan (Roxelana), the wife of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16th century. The Hamam was operational until 1910 when it closed for many years and was used for different purposes (among which house to convicts, and storage for paper and oil). It was then restores in 1958 and used as a carpet bazar until 2007. Public baths date back to Roman time were they were not only meant for practical purposes but also for the pleasure of gathering and entertainment. In Ottoman culture it took an important place for religious purposes. According to the Koran, cleanliness is a fundamental part of the faith. These marble temples also provided a meeting place for locals to partake in conversation along with bathing and massage.
The Ayasofia Hammam has separate sections for men and women, constructed on the same axis as mirror images of each other. The main and more visible entrance is the one of the male section. They are very organized though so they were able to check for us if there was availability at the same time in the female section. We strongly suggest you book ahead of time, especially for bigger groups, as it seems it was just out of luck we found a spot for both of us straight away.
Before entering in the Hammam you will have to wear slippers over your shoes. I was welcomed by a cat (one of the many in Istanbul) that was taking advantage of the warm coming out of the room. In the cold room there is the reception, the changing rooms, the resting area. This is where you’ll be asked to change into the pestamal (silk wrap) before your bath. After your bath you will rest here and relax drinking a sherbet (fruit tea) and eating lukumi. After changing you’ll be shown into the hot room. The room lies under the hammam’s dome and is surrounded by open and private alcoves. The temperature is around 42-27 degrees. Here there are basins to fill with cooling water and you will receive a gold-plated bowl for pouring water over your body while the heat prepares your skin for the scrub. One of the attendants will then come to you and scrub your body. The scrubbing is definitely not as harsh as the one I experienced in Morocco, which is definitely not something you’ll define pleasant… After the scrub you will receive a bubble massage on one of the warm stones under the dome. They will then wash you and cover your skin with rose water. A wonderful and relaxing experience. You’ll then walk back into the reception area where you will drink water and fruit tea and relax a bit before getting back into the cold and rainy weather (I guess that doesn’t apply all the time, but it did for us!)
There is the option of different bath packages, we both chose the PIR-U pack (80 euros) that included the scrub, the bubble wash and a head and neck massage. We were both very happy of the treatment, environment and staff. Definitely recommended. 

☎ 212-517 3535

info@ayasofyahamami.com; Cankurtaran Mahallesi Ayasofya Meydani No:2

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