Experience Traditional Persian Bath in Iran

What is a Persian Bath

Iranian traditional bathhouse or hammams were an integral part of daily life and a sign of a town or village development to reflect indigenous traditions and medicine. Bathhouses have never been a mere place for cleanliness but considered as a social and political event through the history of the country. In Iran, the earliest ruins of bathhouses are located at Chogha Zanbil which date back to 2000 BCE in the Elamite era. Bathing and purification were of utmost importance during the Sassanid period when Zoroastrianism was the state religion in Iran. But it was after the Arab conquest and Iranian's conversion to Islam that rituals and ablution became the requirements of everyone's life.

Persian bathing procedure

Entering the bathhouse or Hammam in Persian, you will be welcomed with a traditional cool beverage or warm tea and immerse into the history and rituals of the Iranian traditional bathhouses since prehistory and Persian myths till the Islamic era as a turning point for this unique tradition.

You will be also explained about the Hammam in which you are experiencing Persian bath, its history and background, after which you will be guided to the personal dressing cubicle area which is known as Sarbineh to undress and be handed a don a red-coloured bath-wrap which is called Long in Persian to cover up for modesty and slip into the sandals. (You will be told everything upon etiquettes to be followed in Hammam).

Getting new personal bath supplies, now it's time to get your body bathed like never before to let every cell of your body breathe and speed up the blood circulation throughout your being.

Relax and loosen up in hot room or Garm Khaneh to sweat well and then the Dallak (Masseur/ Masseuse according to your gender) will take care of your bathing and the serious part of the Iranian bath takes place in Garm khaneh where the dallak soaks up your body with warm water, lather your body with bubbles of natural handcrafted soaps and massage you.

 After washing up and traditional massage, you will have a scrubbing venture to slough off your dirt and dead skin by the skill of dallak or masseur and Kiseh, a hand-knitted washcloth to drag the dirt out of your skin. The words "no pain – no gain" will come to your mind during scrubbing but at the end, you are going to feel delightful, gently soaped and relaxed in hot water basin and jacuzzi before moving to the cold room, taking shower and being handed new towels to dry out.

Getting dressed, you will be offered a light snack and drink in the entrance hall before leaving the bathhouse feeling great and extremely clean.

Tips:

• You will get the masseur of the same sex as you are
• It is recommended to remove make-up before bathing experience
• Please bring the necessary toiletries