A light onto a tradition and culture Turkish baths. A guide to the historic Turkish baths of Istanbul. Translated by Nancy F. Öztürk, Judith Ülgen.

Istanbul: Çitlembik Yayinlari, 2006. Soft cover. New. 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" tall. Paperback. Pbo. Large Roy. 8vo. (24 x 19 cm). In English. 142 p. Color ills. "Turkish Baths: A light onto a Tradition and Culture, is a lively pictorial jaunt through the history, traditions and culture of the Turkish bath. Discover the bath's contribution to Islamic culture and health, its role in the social lives of sequestered Ottoman women, the tale of the street ruffians who slept in its back corners, its environmental impact as Istanbul's greatest forests succumbed to the giant stokepits, and the sexual activities (primarily same gender) that were an acknowledged part of the bath 'scene.' The architecture of the bath is its crown, as light filters down onto the bathers stretched languorously on the large, common 'reclining' stone, demonstrated here with scores of beautiful contemporary photographs of Istanbul baths and bathers. This book is also a detailed guide to 'bath etiquette'--and a guide to fifty historic baths in Istanbul (some dating as far back as the 15th century) that continue in regular use today. This book is a must for those searching for the perfect Turkish bath experience and those who want to understand what this tradition is all about! Contents Bath Culture: Past and Present Roman Baths Baths during the Ottoman Empire Islam and Baths The Only Place a Woman Could Visit The Turkish Bath through European Eyes Ottoman Bath Architecture The Essential Components of the Bath: Tellak and Natir The Baths and Sex Tellak: Then and Now The Star of the Turkish Bath: Kulhanbey A Guide to the Historic Turkish Baths of Istanbul In the Bath. The Bath and Health Within the City Walls of Old Istanbul Beyoglu Side Anatolian/Asian Side References".