Thermae of Samos ancient city (Roman baths)

• Description

The archaeological site of Thermae or Roman baths , in Greek: Θέρμα or Ρωμαϊκά λουτρά, (generally, Thermae appeared in the Roman provinces at the last quarter of the 1st c BC), they were built to serve social needs, as the citizens could spend pleasantly their free time with physical exercise, but was also used for lectures or reading, they were somewhat a club of that time and were part of everyday life.

At the entrance of Thermes complex were the dressing rooms for the bathers, while in the northern part were the cold baths hall and the octagonal pool. The hall with hot baths (hypocausts: underfloor heating system) is located at the southern part of the  complex. There was also a small vaulted room serving as sauna room.

The Thermes complex were decorated with marble and mosaic decorations at the walls and floors, as evidenced by the preserved relics.

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• Histrory

Thermae complex was built in the second half of the 2nd c AD (Roman period) The baths were constructed to join a complex as a single organized space with different sports facilities which existed already at the ancient city of Samos since 6th century BC period, namely gymnasium (sports grounds), stadium (footrace), palaestra (wrestling). Stadium was one of the greatest of ancient Greece, with length 190-200 m and width 40-50 m and located to the south of Thermae complex.

During the early Christian period, in the 5th c AD, at the northern part of the thermae complex, a three aisled basilica church was constructed by the Christians,, while the the sauna room was transformed into a Baptistry.

 

• World Heritage Monument

Thermae of Ancient City (Roman baths) is classified as a World Heritage Monument by UNESCO since 1992. It’s integration within the wider region of Pythagoreion.
ID 595-001
Name & Location Pythagoreion of Samos
State Party Greece
Coordinates N37 41 27.00 E26 56 36.00
Area Property: 285.9 Ha Buffer zone: 402.25 Ha
Map click for pdf file
UNESCO website

• • Admission

• • Tickets
    The monument is closed to the public

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