World Travel information - Turkish Steam Bath, Istanbul, TurkeyTurkish baths are the luxury enjoyments for Istanbulians. The typical setting for a Turkish bath is in the 100°F heat. The Romans built the city’s first public bathing facility. This marble retreat rose in the 16th century, a design of the architect Sinan, who created hundreds of glorious structures for the Ottomans.

In the Turkish bath, basement boilers produce the steam, and holes in the dome release excess heat. Now there are hundreds of public baths that reserve separate hours or rooms for women. In the old days, many marriage contracts in Turkey would have to assure wives an allowance for bath money.