Bridal Hamam
Guests attending the bridal hammam are greeted by the bride’s family and Kılıç Ali Pasha Hamamı’s senior hostess as they arrive. A sherbet beverage is served while the guests sign in.
Bridal Hamam
Dressed in a traditional red velvet robe, red veil atop her head and silver slippers on her feet, the bride descends slowly into the great hall to join the guests waiting for her below.
Bridal Hamam
Friends surround the bride carrying lit candles placed in small dishes. As the bride leads the way, they walk around the fountain three times to the accompaniment of music. Next comes the bath.
Bridal Hamam
A private chamber and silver mazarine are reserved for the bride during her bath. A gold coin for prosperity and nigella and wild rue seeds to ward off the evil eye are tossed into the basin, from which three bowls of water are poured over the bride's head.
Bridal Hamam
After the bride is washed, she moves to the göbek taşı, the heated platform in the bath’s hot room, called the hararet. These pleasant moments are followed by a lively celebration accompanied by live music. Songs are sung, tambourines are played, and guests banter. After circling the göbek taşı three times, the candles are lit again, then extinguished as the guests leave the hararet. The bride is wrapped from head to toe in towels and taken to rest on a couch in the camegah, the central lounge.
Bridal Hamam
Refreshments are served in the spacious and open camegah, which is arranged according to its original function dating from the 16th century. Dolmades, savoury pastries, dried fruit, tea, coffee, a bridal sherbet, fresh fruit juices, lemonade and other special treats are served while the conversation continues.
