The History of Turkish Towels and Their Modern Usage

If you are a history and culture enthusiast, you have probably read about the rich history of Turkey at least once. Besides its history, the country is known for its culture to this day. People from all around the world visit Turkey every year because it is home to many beautiful places. Obviously, when people visit the country, they are likely to want to bring back souvenirs to remember their time there. Turkey offers a variety of items, but one very common one is the Turkish towel. These are like large beach towels or bath towels and they actually have a connection to the history of Turkish hammams or baths.

History of Turkish Towels

Turkish towels, or pesthemals, date back to the 18th century, and they are quite large. They can have dimensions of about 100 cm x 180 cm. These towels have a strong connection to Turkish hammams, which are rooted in Turkish history and culture. The hammams themselves actually originated in the 14th century and were inspired by Roman baths. However, Turkish towels are not just bath towels according to Turkish history and culture. In fact, they are often associated with significant events in the lives of Turkish people. For example, a Turkish towel was used as a ceremonial bath for the bride before her wedding.

Turkish towels shouldn’t just be a single towel. Instead, they can come as a set. During the time of hammams, a set of different towels was used for the head, shoulders, and hips. This arrangement was specifically suited to the designs of Turkish hammams.

Historical Features of Turkish Towels

While Turkish towels are still primarily bath towels, one might wonder why people have such affection and respect for this piece of Turkish tradition and culture. According to history, Turkish towels would have remained simple bath towels if it weren’t for the Ottoman Empire.

The Ottomans were highly skilled carpet weavers in the 17th century. They were the ones who elevated the standard of Turkish bath towels. They introduced style and design concepts into these Turkish towels. Their own style of towels was quite different, and they influenced Turkish towels. They were accustomed to adding an additional fringe to their 2/2 twill. This means that their towels had more fringe or yarn loops that emerged from the fabric, not just the woven structure and warp threads.

With the introduction of the new fancy version of towels, the popularity of Turkish towels grew during the Ottoman palace era. Palace residents increasingly demanded Turkish towels because they were adorned with intricate designs. Gradually, the respect for these unique designs grew so much that the towels were no longer used solely for hammams. They soon became fashion and style objects.

Modern Usage of Turkish Towels

Thanks to the Ottomans, Turkish people still have the opportunity to pride themselves on their culture through Turkish towels. While there are many more aspects to the rich Turkish culture and traditions, Turkish towels constitute an important part of them.

Today, Turkish towels are still used as bath towels, but they are popular beyond that. The image of a fashion icon still remains when it comes to buying Turkish towels in Turkey. Here are some different ways Turkish towels are used today:

Home Use

When you enter a traditional Turkish household, you will find Turkish towels in their bathrooms. They are usually used as bath towels because they are very comfortable for that purpose. Turkish towels are handcrafted from cotton fabric. They are extremely soft and comfortable for drying off after a bath. Designs and styles have significantly improved over the years.

Beach Towel

Turkey is home to many beaches. These destinations are often crowded with both locals and tourists. You can easily spot large beach towels spread out on the sand as people enjoy the seaside view. These beach towels are often Turkish towels. Due to their size, they are comfortable for this purpose. They also look beautiful and fit well with the surroundings due to their designs.

Blankets

The months of December, January, and February can be cold, snowy, and rainy in Turkey. This often requires the use of cozy blankets to stay warm indoors. Turkish towels are often used for this purpose in Turkish homes. Since they are made of soft cotton, they provide good warmth and look great in the living room or bedroom.

Tablecloths

When it comes to interior design, you will notice that Turkish homes are beautifully decorated. The interiors of homes reflect their aesthetic culture, traditions, and history. Many people use Turkish towels as tablecloths. They fit perfectly on large tables.

Decoration

When you visit Turkey, you will soon notice how aesthetically inclined people in this country can be. Vibrant colors and decorations can be seen in almost every environment. You may notice Turkish towels being used as decorations in some places.

Gifts

Since Turkish towels are a central part of Turkish history, culture, and daily life, Turkish people often gift luxurious Turkish towels to their friends and family. Tourists are interested in buying Turkish towels as souvenirs to take home. They are purchased not only for personal use or as souvenirs but also as gifts for loved ones and peers.