Built by the Ottomans, the Hamam al-Basha Turkish Bath is an 18th-century site whose history is told via fun and informative videos. The public bathhouse has an opulent interior, with elaborate marble floors and a mosaic of ceramic tiles. Follow in the footsteps of affluent Ottomans as you amble through the site’s majestic halls.
Watch a video that traces the rich and convoluted history of Acre. It is presented by the fictional spirits of a lineage of bathhouse attendants. Stroll through the entrance hall and marvel at the fountain at its core. This is the summer dressing room where visitors disrobed and wrapped up in towels. Continue through the corridor that connects to the hot rooms where Ottomans relaxed.
Study the varied statues and drawings that provide a sense of the atmosphere in the public bathhouse in the 1700s. Sculptures depict figures relaxing in hot rooms and receiving massages and other treatments. Spot the silver statues of the servants carrying trays and clients smoking shisha pipes. Gaze up at the dotted ceiling lights and admire the arches and pillars holding up the rooms.
Note that this complex was one of the Ottoman treasures constructed by Ahmad Pasha al-Jazzar, who ruled the city in the 1700s. Known as the Butcher for his vengeful brutality, he also built the nearby Al-Jazzar Mosque and the Citadel of Acre.
Visit the ticket booth to gain admission to the museum, which opens Saturday through Thursday from morning to late afternoon. Tickets are available until 1 hour before the site closes.
The Hamam al-Basha Turkish Bath is in the northern part of Acre Old City. It stands in the midst of some of the district’s most famous structures, such as the Al-Jazzar Mosque, the Citadel of Acre and the Turkish Market. Take a bus to a stop near the Old Acre Walls.