Cyprus Hamams

Hamam is the Turkish variant for a steam bath.  The process involved in taking a Turkish bath is similar to that of a sauna, but is more closely related to ancient Greek and ancient Roman practices.

The presence of hamams in Cyprus date back to the 15th century, created over the 307-year rule of the Ottoman Turks.  For centuries hamams have played a significant role in Middle-Eastern culture, serving as a venue for social gatherings, ritual cleansing, as well as architectural structures and institutions.