Aegean Cotton-Linen Washcloth Page

This towel is woven in the traditional Turkish peshtemal technique. Starting in the 14th century, such towels were used in Turkish bathhouses, or hamams, due to their ability to dry quickly. The hamam evolved from Roman baths to become part of the Islamic ritual of purification before prayer. A hamam combines the architecture of Roman baths with the Turkish tradition of steam bathing, ritual cleansing, and respect for water. This towel is made from cotton from the coastal Aegean region of Turkey blended with linen, for a material that is exceptionally strong yet soft.