Al Basha Turkish Bath

The Ottomans built a public bath in Akko – Al Basha Turkish Bath. I guess you would call it a Turkish Bath. “Hamam al-Basha” was built at the end of the 18th century by Governor of Acre, Jazzar Pasha, known as “The Butcher”. He is infamous for his hobby of corporal punishment and dismembering those found guilty. At first the bath, or Hamam, was called “Hama al-Jadid” (the new Hamam), but its name was subsequently changed in honor of Jazzar to Hamam al-Basha (the Pasha’s Hamam).

Of course the Hamam is no longer a public bath, but instead has been converted to a multi-media attraction telling the history of Akko via the spirits of several generations of Hamam attendants. The entire site has been redecorated to interpret the  historical figures. Take a peek at the promo of the video “The Story of the Last Bath Attendant”.

The Ottoman bathers and their attendants have been “frozen” as they were:

The multi-media is exquisite: architecture, lighting, statues, stills, movies – you name it.

Visitors sit among statues representing Ottoman bathers and eavesdrop on their personal discussions. Below you can see the steam room, what we used to call a “shvitz” – with and without visitors.

Visiting hours

Sunday through Thursday, Saturdays and holidays: 8:30 am to 6 pm
Fridays and holiday eves: 9 am to 5 pm

Winter:
Sunday through Thursday, Saturdays and holidays:  9 am to 5 pm
Fridays and holiday eves: 9 am to 4 pm

The ticket office closes one hour before the site closes.