Archaeologists uncover lavish Roman bathhouse in Italy

Archaeologists excavating the ancient city of Halaesa Arconidea on the northern coast of Sicily have made a remarkable discovery: a lavish Roman bathhouse, a significant find that highlights the city's historical importance.

A team from the University of Palermo returned to Halaesa Arconidea on Sicily's northern coast for their fifth excavation season, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

During their work, the team discovered an opulent ancient Roman bathhouse, or thermal complex, notable for its distinctive style and considerable size. Francesco Paolo Scarpinato, a regional councilor for cultural heritage, emphasized the bathhouse's uniqueness for Sicily, describing its impressive decorations and expansive area of about 8,600 square feet.

While officials released photos of the ruins on Facebook, they did not clarify which specific structures belonged to the bathhouse. The excavations also revealed two rooms adorned with mosaic floors, a courtyard featuring column-lined walkways, wall fortifications, and a previously unknown monumental complex.

According to Britannica, ancient Roman bathhouses, or thermae, were typically large, standardized facilities where individuals could bathe, relax, and socialize. These complexes commonly featured three types of pools—hot, warm, and cold—allowing visitors to undress, exercise, and move through the pools in a sequence of decreasing temperatures, although the exact order may vary. 

The ancient city of Halaesa Arconidea was established around 400 B.C. and, by approximately 250 B.C., became one of the first cities in Sicily to align with the Romans during the First Punic War.

This early support earned Halaesa Arconidea special privileges from its Roman conquerors, including tax exemptions and a degree of autonomy, as noted by the Sicilian archaeological park authorities. Archaeologists intend to continue their excavations at the site. Halaesa Arconidea is located in present-day Tusa along the northern coast of Sicily, an island situated off the southern coast of mainland Italy.

By Naila Huseynova