Hygiene is a fundamental requirement in Islam, and hammams played a considerable social, cultural and religious role until the 20th century. Today, however, private bathrooms and public swimming pools have reduced its importance or made it disappear.
Unlike Turkey or Morocco, for example, where traditional hammam traditions have been revived, Iran – for the moment – offers few possibilities to recharge one’s batteries according to the ancient art of hammams (baths of different temperatures, massages , treatments), except in certain hotels such as the Ghasr Monshi in Isfahan. On the other hand, Iran has many thermal centers. The most important is Sarein, near Ardabil, in the northwest of the country: numerous spas, flanked by comfortable hotels, take advantage of dozens of water sources coming from Mount Sabalan, an extinct volcano.
Lake Orumyeh (Urmia), Azerbaijan. Its very salty waters are used in cures. Photograph: ©Patrick Ringgenberg.