Hammam Al-Shifa
The bathhouse is located in the old town on the southern side of Al-Nasr Mosque, opposite Al-Bek Mosque. It is bordered on the north by a narrow staircase that connects to Al-Nasr Street, and is surrounded by traditional houses on its three sides.
The bathhouse was built in 1782 by Ibrahim Bek bin Salih Pasha Touqan. In 1997, Youssef Al-Jabi renovated and rehabilitated the bathhouse, and it still receives clients today. The bathing process follows an arrangement that accounts for the client's health and safety, as they move from the cold room to the thermal room and then the steam room, before returning in the same order. This sequence is designed to open and narrow the pores of the body as the temperature changes in each section.
The historical baths are known locally as Turkish baths and are an essential part of the architectural and urban style of the Old City. There are eight bathhouses in the neighborhood, including Al-Baidarah Bath, Al-Reesh Bath, Al-Qadi Bath, Al-Samra Bath, Al-Darajeh Bath, Al-Khalili Bath, Al-Tamimi Bath, and Al-Shifa bath.
The Ottoman baths follow a unified architectural and planning style similar to the Roman bath system. In addition to the standard areas, the baths also include sections for swimming pools and gymnasiums. The key areas are:
- The cold room (Frigidarium): The largest room, with a pool in the middle and a beautiful vaulted ceiling. It is used for getting ready, changing clothes, and relaxing after bathing.
- The thermal room (Tepidarium): Opposite the cold room, with a lower ceiling and a half-barrel roof. It includes a hot massage slab and several small shower cabins.
- The sauna room (Caldarium): The hottest room, with large amounts of steam to soften the skin and remove dirt and dead skin.
- The heating furnace (Alaqim): Located under the bath, it constantly burns to heat the water and steam that are distributed to the different sections.
The staff includes the owner or manager, the masseur (Al-Mukais), the one who heats the water (Al-Iqmimi), and others responsible for cleaning and washing towels and overalls. Beyond the material and service values, the public baths hold important social and cultural significance, with associated customs, songs, and events like weddings.