<strong>Baku hammams: </strong>Public baths have been an important part of Azerbaijani life since the Middle Ages. You can still enjoy this ancient experience today at hammams such as She-Bi (pictured).
Baku hammams: Public baths have been an important part of Azerbaijani life since the Middle Ages. You can still enjoy this ancient experience today at hammams such as She-Bi (pictured).
Tom Marsden
<strong>Single sex:</strong> Hamams in Azerbaijan are strictly segregated: Some are just for men, some for women and some serve both, but on different days.
Single sex: Hamams in Azerbaijan are strictly segregated: Some are just for men, some for women and some serve both, but on different days.
Tom Marsden
<strong>Wear a towel:</strong> Despite the segregation rule, strutting around completely naked is not allowed. Instead a special towel called a fite must be worn.
Wear a towel: Despite the segregation rule, strutting around completely naked is not allowed. Instead a special towel called a fite must be worn.
Tom Marsden
<strong>Take your time:</strong> The bathing process itself shouldn't be rushed, but equally important is drinking tea afterward.
Take your time: The bathing process itself shouldn't be rushed, but equally important is drinking tea afterward.
Tom Marsden
<strong>Admire the architecture: </strong>A key feature of the old hammams is the cupola with holes at the top, superbly engineered to let air out but not let rainwater in.
Admire the architecture: A key feature of the old hammams is the cupola with holes at the top, superbly engineered to let air out but not let rainwater in.
Maureen O'Hare/CNN
<strong>Agha Mikayil Hamami: </strong>Built in the 18th century, Agha Mikayil is Baku's oldest functioning hammam. It's also a popular movie location.
Agha Mikayil Hamami: Built in the 18th century, Agha Mikayil is Baku's oldest functioning hammam. It's also a popular movie location.
Tom Marsden
<strong>Tezebay Hammam: </strong>The eclectic mix of souvenirs, stuffed animals and dim lighting at Tezebay make the place feel part hammam, part museum.
Tezebay Hammam: The eclectic mix of souvenirs, stuffed animals and dim lighting at Tezebay make the place feel part hammam, part museum.
Tom Marsden
<strong>Akhund Hammam: </strong>Across the street from the green-domed Haji Sultan Ali mosque is the men-only Akhund Hammam, named in honor of the akhund (cleric) that lobbied for its construction way back in 1887.
Akhund Hammam: Across the street from the green-domed Haji Sultan Ali mosque is the men-only Akhund Hammam, named in honor of the akhund (cleric) that lobbied for its construction way back in 1887.
Tom Marsden
<strong>Agha Zeynal Hamami: </strong>Agha Zeynal Hamami (also known as Prestige) dates back to Baku's late 19th-century oil boom.
Agha Zeynal Hamami: Agha Zeynal Hamami (also known as Prestige) dates back to Baku's late 19th-century oil boom.
Tom Marsden
<strong>She-Bi Hamami: </strong>The men-only She-Bi is especially popular with civil servants, thanks to its location near four government ministries.
She-Bi Hamami: The men-only She-Bi is especially popular with civil servants, thanks to its location near four government ministries.
Tom Marsden