Description of the site: The bathhouse was built in 1782 by Ibrahim Bek bin Salih Pasha Touqan, then Youssef Al-Jabi renovated and rehabilitated it in 1997, and it still receives clients. The bathing process follows an arrangement that takes into account the health and safety of the client as they enter successively from the cold room to the thermal room, ending in the steam room, and then returning in the same order; because the pores of the body open and narrow depending on the temperature difference in each section of the bathhouse.The historical baths are known locally as Turkish baths, and they are part of the essential architectural elements that formed the architectural and urban style of the Old City. There are eight bathhouses in its neighborhoods, namely: Al-Baidarah Bath, Al-Reesh Bath, Al-Qadi Bath, Al-Samra Bath, Al-Darajeh Bath, Al-Khalili Bath, and Al-Tamimi Bath, in addition to Al-Shifa bath.The Ottoman baths adopted a unified architectural and planning style similar to the Roman system of baths. Although it included additional sections related to swimming pools and gymnasiums, it consisted of the following areas:The cold room (FIGIDARIUM) is the Roman bath, designed for getting ready for the bath, changing clothes, and relaxing after showering. Celebrations of various occasions take place in it. It is the largest room with a pool in its middle that improves the atmosphere with a beautiful vaulted ceiling higher than the rest of the bathroom sections.The thermal room (Tepidarium) is opposite the Roman bath. It is less height and often has a half-barrel roof, and includes many small openings that are closed with glass to pass a sufficient amount of sunlight. The hot massage slab is in the middle of this room, surrounded by several small shower cabins with hot water basins needed for showering.The sauna room (Caldarium)is the highest in temperature. Large amounts of steam are passed into it, which softens the skin and easily removes dirt and dead skin.The heating furnace (Alaqim) is under the bath and the fire constantly burns. This fire is used to heat both the bath and the water, from which water and steam are pumped to the sections of the hot bath using clay pipes and underground openings through which the water vapor is transmitted to the parts of the hot bath. Heating the water depends on burning some solid waste that is disposed of by the residents of the city.The staff includes the owner or the manager of the bathhouse, the masseur (Al-Mukais), who does massage work, the one who heats the water (Al-Iqmimi), and some others responsible for cleaning and washing towels, overalls, and others. The importance of public baths goes beyond the material architectural values and the services they provide related to cleanliness and recreation, to social and cultural values that left a cultural legacy that sheds light on many social events that were associated with wedding ceremonies and others, and the accompanying songs and customs that accompany these celebrations, whether for men or women.
It 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.
Old City - Al-Nasr Street - in front of Al-Bek Mosque.
PS-NBS
Palestinian Territories