Cemberlitas Hamami

Description:

• This is the most pleasant of all Istanbul's hamams. You can stretch out flat on the huge round navel stone, and dreamily gaze at the diffractions of shafts of daylight through the steam. The sounds of splashing water and muffled chatter echo around the dome and throughout the hamam. Mimar Sinan built the baths in 1584—they were commissioned by Nurbanu, wife of Sultan Selim the Grim and they have been in continuous service to the public ever since. There are separate sections for men and women. If you've never set foot in a Turkish bath before, this is the perfect place to learn the ropes.
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