The Turkish Bath, known
as Hammam, is a kind of
steam bath, which played
an important role in the
cultures of the Middle
East. Hammam Bab Al
Harah in Petra follows
the traditions of
bathing. It works with
accessoires like the
nahn (wooden clogs), the
pestemal (a special
cloth to cover the
body), natural soap and
rosewater.
Your Hammam experience
can look like this: you
will take a shower and
pass to the hot room to
sweat. The steam room in
a Hammam is tiled, quite
dimly lit and full of
hot, wet air. Only stay
as long as you are
comfortable, 15 minutes
is the maximum time for
the use of a steam room.
Then you relax on the
hot stone or some of the
rest places with copper
bowls to pour water over
your body. Later you
will be scrubbed with
kese (a rough mitt) and
enjoy an oriental
massage. After that you
can relax again, sip a
traditional tea and
don’t forget to drink
plenty of water to
compensate the loss of
fluid.
A Hammam brings
benefits to your body by
● boosting the blood and
lymph circulation,
● reducing back and
muscle pains,
● relaxing by scrubbing
and sweating,
● taking toxin out by
sweating,
● cleanse your skin by
opening up the pores and
drawing out dirt and
toxins.
Some precautions are to
consider before visiting
a Hammam.
You should avoid the
heat treatment if you:
● are, or think you
might be, pregnant,
● have heart or
respiratory problems,
● have problems with
your circulation,
● have diabetes or an
infection.
But sure you can just
enjoy a massage!
Location: Bab Al Harah
is located close to the
entrance of Petra beside
the Mövenpick Resort.