Smart Living

In Syria's Aleppo, the customers are back in the bathhouse

Updated : 2019-06-01 18:22:46

With steamy stone rooms, masseurs and traditional singers, the bathhouses have been a staple of Aleppo life for centuries. But located in the battle zone of the Old City, most had to close. Fighting in Aleppo ended in late 2016 although it goes on elsewhere in Syria and four of the city's 50 or so bathhouses have now reopened. They are drawing back some old customers - and new ones too young to remember life before the war.

Reuters

A view shows inside a damaged bathhouse in Aleppo. Picture taken April 9, 2019. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

Blossomed vegetation are seen on the damaged Yalbougha bathhouse in Aleppo, Syria. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

Blossomed vegetation are seen on the damaged Yalbugha bathhouse in Aleppo. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

Women walk near a damaged bathhouse in Aleppo. Picture taken April 9, 2019. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

Men swim in a pool in Aleppo's Bab al-Ahmar public bathhouse. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

Mansour and Wafai families wrap themselves with a towel in Aleppo's Bab al-Ahmar public bathhouse. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

Men eat and chat in Aleppo's Bab al-Ahmar public bathhouse. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

A bathhouse attendant washes a customer in Aleppo's Bab al-Ahmar public bathhouse. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki