One of the finest traditional aspects of Moorish rule in the region of Andalusia is the Arab Baths (Banos Arabes) or “hammam” as they are called in Arabic. These ancient public baths are of great historical, architectural and social life importance in Muslim culture.
According to Muslim customs one has to be purified before entering into the religious worship place, hence so most Arab baths were situated just outside the main mosque of the city.
Constructed with many aspects of the philosophical theory of aesthetics, Arab baths were essentially a place for health and pleasure. However, over the years, through a relaxing session of bath and body care, these public places became an important meeting point for many as business, politics and social discussions.
Arab baths and the magic of Al-Andalus
Today an old tradition has been restored in many cities with public viewing of some Arab baths and some even in operation with a modern touch. Built in the 11th and 12th century, the Arabic hammam in the Spanish mountain town of Ronda has been partly renovated as an important historical site.
Arab Baths are primarily composed of three interconnecting chambers and each chamber maintains a different temperature for the comfort of visitors who come here to take a bath.
Architecturally, the ceilings of Arab Baths are constructed with domed shape, which is the characteristic style of Muslim architecture, decorated with star-shaped skylights and air vents.
Arab Baths in Granada
Besides, the building of Arab Baths constitutes a indoor courtyard, changing room and cold room, followed by warm room and hot room, essentially used in a very strict order.
The Ismalic Spain or Al-Andalus is very much associated with Arab baths and as per records, there were few hundreds of public baths although most of those were shutdown or neglected on account of the Christian reconquest.
Other than Ronda, there is Arab baths right in the historic centre of Malaga, Cordoba (close to the Mosque-Cathedral), Madrid, Toledo and Granada (just below the Alhambra). These ‘Hammams de Al Andalus’ today attract many visitors world around which were once complete delights to the senses.
