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Hammam
/həˈmɑːm/
HISTORY & CULTURESintermediate
Definition
A traditional Islamic bathhouse with a sequence of rooms at different temperatures — from a cold room (barid) through a warm room (wastani) to a hot steam room (harara). The hammam has been central to social life in the Islamic world for over a thousand years, serving as a place of cleanliness, relaxation, and community.
Example
The Çemberlitaş Hamamı in Istanbul by Sinan (1584) remains in operation today — its domed steam room, lit by star-shaped skylights, is one of the finest examples of Ottoman bath architecture.