Hammam

It is not only a steam bath with numerous positive effects, but can also be a moment for socializing, as in the oriental tradition. It represents a moment of relax and true wellness and is normally associated with massages. This explains the renewed interest in this treatment even in the most modern conceived centres.

Some history
After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Arabs took the tradition of heated Roman baths up again with baths called “hammam” (from the Arab: “to heat”), smaller baths with a simpler bathing procedure. In the Roman baths, after physical activity, one used to enter the tepidarium, then into the calidarium and finally in the laconicum, the last hottest room, heated with dry air at a very high temperature. Finally after cleansing the body and the massages, one used to have a swim in the frigidarium pool, followed by the association with libraries or shows. In the Arab tradition the cycle was cut down: the hammam is essentially made up of three rooms to wash in, a very hot room (harara), a lukewarm one and lastly a fresh one; one usually starts from the hottest room. At the end of the cycle one can have massages.

Description
It is a treatment that is performed in a room where there is a 100% humidity rate. Perspiration is less intense compared to a very hot and dry environment such as a steam bath, but since the stay is longer, often the final result is a higher amount of perspiration.