Ancient bath complex excavated near Acropolis

A luxury bathing complex dating back to Roman times, between the 2nd and 7th century A.D., was unearthed by archaeologists at a short distance from the southern side of the Acropolis, within the perimeter of the walls of the ancient city, in the Makrygiannis district close to the Acropolis Museum. 

The Roman era bathing complex excavated in the Makrygiannis [Credit: in.gr]

The extremely well-preserved baths, which lie only one metre below the road surface, offered cold and hot bath services. 

Following the basic model for Roman baths, it included changing rooms, at least two water tanks for cold baths (frigidarium), with individual showers, an area for warm baths (tepidarium) and three for hot baths (caldarium), 4 furnace rooms (praefurnium) as well as an area for preparing food. 

As archaeologist Hara Harami, of the 3rd Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities explains, the bathing complex could have been part of an individual residence but, its dimensions and the nexus of surrounding sites suggest that it may have been part of a bigger individual or public edifice. 

Source: Greek News Agenda [May 25, 2012]