History: Islamic Hamam (Purpose)

Aside from treating oneself to the pleasure of bathing and chat, people went to the hamam for religious cleansing. Before one would don new clothes, after a long journey, a convalescence, or release from prison--these were good reasons to clean up and check in with Allah.

The hamam was so much a part of town social life that even the wealthy, who usually owned private baths, frequented them. They chose public bathing to show the town they were clean. Although the baths were usually built under the auspices of church or government, they were often constructed by wealthy individuals as well.
When a new bath was opened, a herald proclaimed the news that the bath would be free to everyone for the first three days.

Massage attendants rubbed their hands with pomegranate peel to harden them and give them a pleasant scent. Attendants also made sure no beans or peas were eaten in the hamam, no lepers were allowed inside, and anyone revealing a peek at his private parts was ejected. Not only was the hammam pleasurable, but it also brought luck as this old adage claims: "Whoever goes to the bath on forty consecutive Wednesdays will succeed at anything they do."