Remains of Roman thermae in Mérida

As well as the Roman thermae of San Lázaro and the Roman thermae and ice well in Calle Reyes Huertas, in the former Emérita Augusta we can find the remains of the oldest Roman public thermal baths, located in the square where the streets of Pontezuelas and Rambla Santa Eulalia meet.

This thermal complex was built in the 1st century AD and remained operational until the late 4th century. From the layout of the remains one can see the different rooms it was comprised of, as well as the space occupied by a swimming pool and an exercise area.

This is merely another example of these architectural sites in the city of Mérida, which contains up to a total of six public thermae (as well as those mentioned above, there are others in Huerta de Otero and the streets of Constantino and Baños) and fifteen private baths, located in the streets called Calvario, Cardero, Francisco de Almaraz, Morerías, Arquitas and Sagasta, in Avenida de Los Milagros, in Las Abadías, in the former barracks of Hernán Cortés, the Alcazaba Cultural Centre, the Morería site, the Arab Alcazaba, the convent of San Andrés, the cultural room of Caja Badajoz and the Casa del Mitreo. In spite of the large number of thermae here, only a dozen of them can be visited.