Roman Baths

Built in the third century by Caracalla, who ruled the Roman Empire from 198 to 217 AD widely known as Caesar. The built bathhouse of these baths was built around three main rooms: the caldarium (hot bath), tepidarium (warm bath) and frigidarium (cold bath). The baths were in use until the 7th century when they were consumed by fire leaving only the remains of the basement and first floor.

The Roman Baths, located on Çankırı Street extending to Yıldırım Beyazit Square, about 400 meters from Ulus, were built by the Roman Emperor Caracalla (211-217), son of Septimius Severus in the 3rd century in honor of Honor the god of Health, Asklepion.

It has been determined that the site is the Roman Baths with the remains of the pillars and remains of the Roman period (partly Byzantine and Seljuk layers) at the top and of Phrygian time at the bottom.

The size of the bathroom is 80x130 meters, it is made of stone and brick. The entrance on Çankırı Street leads to a large area surrounded by the ruins of a colonnade and then to the Palaestra, a place for physical training and wrestling. To the right of this section, along the road there are many columns carved with circular and angular shapes.

The Frigidarium (cooling room) is located directly behind the sports area, and the Piscina (plunge pool) with stairs to sit on either side and the Apoditarium (place to change clothes) to the left, and the cooling room with circular brick columns. located on the right. The tepidarium (warm bath) also features round brick columns. Baths were once built on these columns. The Calidarium (hot room) unit is located at the back of the tub and consists of 12 drilled holes. The hot and warm rooms are divided more widely because of Ankara's very cold winter conditions. These rooms are supported with underfloor heating with brick columns around for easy air circulation, the bathrooms above are warmed in this way.

Coins recovered during excavation show that the bathhouse was destroyed after a great fire in the 7th century. The bathhouse has been in use for about 500 years and has been restored quite a few times. During excavations by the Turkish Historical Institute, the changing and bathing parts of the bathtub, manholes and water lines were discovered.

The Roman baths were almost completely destroyed and now serve only as an archaeological site. However, visitors can still feel the aura of the mysterious magic that surrounds them when they come here and imagine the splendor of the past.

Business hours:

Daily, from 10:00 to 16:30

Fare:

Adults: 5 liras/pax

Address: No:43 ankırı Caddesi, Ankara, 6050, Turkey

Phone number: +903123243165