To see all of posts on Turkish Baths (Hamams), go to our Cappadocia Turkish Bath (Hamam) Homepage.
Break me.
Into pieces.
Then, do it again.
If Rambo had chosen a Turkish Bath, he would have no doubt chosen the Damat İbrahim Paşa Hamam, where the masseurs are trained in “old school” techniques. This place is not for the faint of heart, nor for those with bad backs, nor for those with weak knees, nor for those with…I think you get the picture.
I moved to Turkey in 2002 and even though I have been to numerous Turkish Baths around the country, I have yet to find one that was congruent with what was in my mind’s eye when it came to hamams. I always pictured a guy who enters the bathhouse with a little skimpy towel, with one purpose in life: to break whoever was lying on the marble slab. Well, I finally found such a hamam!
Constructed in 1727 by decree from the Grand Vizier, Damat İbrahim Paşa, the hamam in Nevşehir opened its doors, but only for a few short months. Apparently the budget was quite limited and when the Sultan’s son-in-law got word of how pathetic the first one was, he ordered the first to be demolished and the current Turkish Bath was erected, satisfying the desires of the inhabitants of Nevşehir village.
This feeling of pride has carried over into our present day. Recep Yılmaz, operator of the Damat İbrahim Paşa Turkish Bath for the past 17 years, revels in the fact that they still practice the “old school” techniques at his hamam. While gently rubbing the tellak’s (masseur) arm Mr Yılmaz breaks into a big grin, explaining that this is what the area “tourist” hamams do. “That isn’t going to get the dirt out of your skin. You’ve got to really scrub it. You’ve got to really work those muscles over.”
And then, for the next 20 minutes my friend and fellow contributor to this blog, Christian Dedrick, bless his soul, underwent something that neither of us expected. You must watch this video demonstrating how Turkish Baths, according to Recep Bey, were done back in the day!
Obviously, this Turkish Bath experience isn’t for everyone. If you have any previous injuries to joints, etc. I do not recommend this hamam. But, if you are more of a “Took” than a “Baggins”, then this would be the place to go.
DISCLAIMER: We are not responsible for any injuries one would sustain if they frequented this hamam.
Here’s the stunner: after finishing the massage, the tellak, Fikret Közgeçen, looked up and with a smirk said, “You only got half of what we usually do. Come back and I’ll show you the other half!”
THE SKINNY:
The Damat İbrahim Paşa Hamamı is open 7 days a week.
Hours of operation being 06:00-22:00.
Every Saturday, from 10:00-16:00 there is a lady’s only time with women masseurs. Prices: 25 TL (entrance, scrub and bubble massage) and 15 TL for entrance only.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Camikebir Cd. No:43, Nevşehir
Telephone: 0384.213.2658
Did you enjoy this post? If so, here’s what you can do. Please share this post with your friends by clicking on one of the buttons below or to the side. Also, you may want to subscribe to these posts. Click here and follow the instructions. One of my goals is to help people who will visit Cappadocia. This is your way to help me meet this goal. Thank you, I am grateful.
Aaron Moss has owned an exporting business, shipping pottery and rugs to America, and has been an outspoken advocate for bringing tour groups from North America over to Cappadocia for the past several years. Through his contribution to CaptivatingCappadocia.com he hopes that more people will come and visit the incredible land he has called “home” for the past 8 years. He and his wife have 6 children, and he has yet to meet anyone who hasn’t thoroughly enjoyed their stay in Cappadocia. Click here to read more about Aaron.
