Central Baths, Pompei
The Central Baths are located on the corner of two main streets in Pompei 鈥� via Stabiana and via di Nola. They were built as part of the city鈥檚 regeneration plans following the earthquake of AD 62, and may have replaced a destroyed building on this site. The relative modernity of the building is shown in the use of skylights and a larger outdoor gymnasium 鈥� hallmarks of later Roman bathhouses.
The baths were designed with many of the features found in most Roman bathhouses. They included a large central palaestra, with an adjacent apodyterium for changing and relaxing. The bathing rooms themselves consisted of a lukewarm pool (tepidarium) and two hot baths in the caldarium. One unusual feature was the laconicum, a room with an intense, dry heat 鈥� similar to the modern saunas thought to have originated in Scandinavia.
Built with access from all four sides, the baths occupied an entire block of the city. The presence of a new bath house, designed to be ultra modern and exquisitely decorated, suggests that the surrounding area was to become more central in the regeneration of Pompei. Sadly, it appears the baths were never used 鈥� many of the pools were still incomplete at the time of the eruption of Vesuvius.
The baths were designed with many of the features found in most Roman bathhouses. They included a large central palaestra, with an adjacent apodyterium for changing and relaxing. The bathing rooms themselves consisted of a lukewarm pool (tepidarium) and two hot baths in the caldarium. One unusual feature was the laconicum, a room with an intense, dry heat 鈥� similar to the modern saunas thought to have originated in Scandinavia.
Built with access from all four sides, the baths occupied an entire block of the city. The presence of a new bath house, designed to be ultra modern and exquisitely decorated, suggests that the surrounding area was to become more central in the regeneration of Pompei. Sadly, it appears the baths were never used 鈥� many of the pools were still incomplete at the time of the eruption of Vesuvius.
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Central Baths on Map
Sight Name: Central Baths
Sight Location: Pompei, Italy (See walking tours in Pompei)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Pompei, Italy (See walking tours in Pompei)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Pompei, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Pompei
Creating your own self-guided walk in Pompei is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Pompeii Introduction Walk I
Modern-day Pompei is best known for its ancient predecessor, the Roman city of Pompeii, that fell victim to the massive eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The ruins of Pompeii, first uncovered in the late 18th century, were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997. Presently, this is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Italy, drawing annually up to 2.5 million visitors.
The... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
The... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Pompeii Introduction Walk II
Frozen at the moment it was buried under the thick blanket of ash and pumice, the city of Pompeii (now excavated) remains a unique window into the past, offering a snapshot of everyday life back in the 1st century AD Roman Empire. Aside from causing quick and unexpected death to the city, the huge eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD did have one positive outcome 鈥� it preserved everything (properties,... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles