LEBANON: Hamman al-Nuzha, Beirut's only remaining Turkish bath house, provides an escape from Lebanon's stresses

Record ID: 228725

  • Title: LEBANON: Hamman al-Nuzha, Beirut's only remaining Turkish bath house, provides an escape from Lebanon's stresses
  • Date: 3rd April 2007
  • Summary: HAMMAM AL-NUZHA EMPLOYEE WRAPPING TOWEL AROUND MUSTAFA'S HEAD- REGULAR CLIENT AT HAMMAM AL-NUZHA HAMMAM AL-NUZHA EMPLOYEE WRAPPING MATERIAL AROUND MUSTAFA'S SHOULDERS CLOSE OF MUSTAFA STIRRING TEA IN A GLASS MUSTAFA DRINKING TEA/PLACING GLASS BACK ON TABLE HAMMAM AL-NUZHA EMPLOYEE HANDING MUSTAFA WATER PIPE AND ADDING HOT COALS TO TOBACCO CLOSE OF HOT COALS BEING ADDED TO TOBACCO
  • Embargoed: 18th April 2007 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Lebanon
  • Country: Lebanon
  • Topics: Lifestyle
  • Reuters ID: LVA7FAVCIOGHLLSWZMTMZ29RRXX8
  • Story Text: Located in an area called Basta Tahta in the centre of Beirut, the historical Hammam al-Nuzha is the city's last operating Turkish bath house.
    Currently owned and run by Ahmad Beirakdar and built by his grandfather in 1920, Hammam al-Nuzha used to be one of 11 of Turkish bath houses in the area. But over the years the number of bath houses has dwindled drastically and today it is the only venue of its kind left where clients can enjoy an authentic body scrub and massage.
    Turkish bath houses were first established in Lebanon during the Ottoman colonial occupation of the country when each Turkish king had a bath house to accompany his palace.
    Attending a Turkish bath house used to be common practice in past generations, as for most, the luxury of a bath at home was not available, and people went to the bath house often to bathe. However, times have changed, according to Ahmad Beirakdar, the owner and manager of Hammam al-Nuzha.
    "Nowadays, there are customers, just not as many as before because the generations are changing. The generations that used to like using Turkish baths- they didn't have baths at home, the facilities that we now have in homes were only present in Turkish baths," he says.
    The relaxing surroundings of Hamman al-Nuzha are now more often used as a leisurely pass-time rather than to bathe.
    "So now that people have these modern facilities in their homes, attendance at Turkish baths has dropped. Nowadays, most people who like to come to Turkish baths are those that come for leisure," Beirakdar adds.
    In its heyday in the early 1970's, Hammam al-Nuzha was frequented by many residents of Beirut, including celebrities like famous Lebanese actress Layla Karam, former Miss Universe Georgina Rizk and Lebanon's legendary singer, Sabah. However, Hammam al-Nuzha seems more geared towards serving its male clients than its women clients. The latter can only enjoy the treatments it offers once a week on a Monday morning. All other opening hours are devoted to men only.
    Hammam al-Nuzha managed to remain open throughout the Lebanese 1975-1990 civil war.
    In addition to offering its clients a recreational experience, Hammam al-Nuzha is something of a haven that allows those who frequent it to forget the daily worries and stresses that have resulted from the political tensions gripping the country.
    A number of political assassinations and a war with Israel in 2006 have left its mark on the Lebanese population and tensions can run high in daily life.
    "It helps a person to relax- a person can come for an hour, an hour and a half, two hours- on the one hand you can get away from the world and its troubles and on the other, it's a nice way to relax and feel better about yourself," said Mustafa, a client of Hamman al-Nuzha.
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