Al-Basha Turkish Bath

The construction of the hammam (bathhouse) was part of the transformation of Akko during the Ottoman period, mainly by Algiers Pasha, from a small fishing village to a port city where there is a busy and buoyant movement of commerce and construction. During his reign, Algiers worked to promote the city in many different areas. Among his plans was the construction of the aqueduct that led the spring water to the city, the construction of the breakwater for safe docking in the harbor and the erection of important buildings such as Khan El Omdan, the great mosque of Akko, his magnificent palace, and of course the hammam.

In the Hammam there are three main parts: the summer dressing room, the four mezzanine rooms, which are between the cold and warm rooms, and the warm room – the last room is the essence of the Hammam.

For about fifty years, from its inception until the War of Independence in 1948, the Hamam functioned as an active bathhouse. In addition to the religious role, fulfilling the purity precepts before prayer, the Hammam played a significant part in almost every aspect of life in the Ottoman city. It served as a place for social gatherings, for recreation and celebrations, was the home of doctors and barbers and served as a “pampering house” for the city’s wealthy.