Ancient Roman Baths

The Ancient Roman Baths of Fordongianus represent an unparalleled historical and archaeological treasure. This place attests to the significance of baths within Roman society and the engineering and architectural mastery of the ancient Romans. The latter believed in the healing properties of thermal waters, which still maintain a temperature of 54°C today.

The Ancient Roman Baths are situated on the left bank of the Tirso River, not far from where, once, the ancient city of Forum Traiani stood, and it consists of two distinct establishments.

The first of these dates back to the 1st century AD and was used for therapeutic purposes. It was fed by the beneficial hot spring, which still gushes at the site at a temperature of 54°C. This establishment, originally constructed with large blocks of trachyte, shows clear signs of alterations undergone over the centuries.

The second establishment dates back to the 3rd century AD and is connected to the first by a staircase opening onto the portico of the natatio.

It was used for body care and hygiene and was artificially heated; therefore, it had several rooms at different temperatures that allowed for a hygienic-healing route from cold to hot. These rooms were called “frigidarium,” “tepidarium,” and “calidarium.”

Upstream from the thermal complex, you can also see a system of wells and cisterns partly supplied by the Roman aqueduct, distributing water to the various thermal chambers through a sophisticated network of channels.

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