Roman Bathhouses of the Holy Spring

Category: Archaeology > Roman Baths

District: Setúbal > Alcácer do Sal > Torrão > Fonte Santa

Location

Situated in the heart of the Setúbal district, more precisely in the municipality of Alcácer do Sal, the Roman Baths of Fonte Santa are located in the pleasant locality of Torrão, in the area known precisely as Fonte Santa. This place is set within a rural and serene environment, characteristic of the Alentejo landscape, offering an atmosphere of tranquility that invites introspection and discovery. Its position once took advantage of the abundance and characteristics of the water that gave it its name.

Testimonies of Roman Antiquity

The Roman Baths of Fonte Santa represent a valuable testimony to the Roman presence and social organization in the Iberian Peninsula. These structures were more than mere hygiene spaces; they functioned as important centers for social interaction, leisure, and often, treatment, taking advantage of the therapeutic properties of certain springs. The vestiges found here allow us to glimpse the complexity and ingenuity of Roman architecture applied to water management.

Architecture and Thermal Function

The typology of Roman baths is marked by the presence of several rooms with different temperatures, reflecting the typical route of bathers. Although the state of conservation may vary, it is possible to identify the foundations and structures that made up these complexes, from the entrance and changing room areas to the cold bath (frigidarium), warm bath (tepidarium), and hot bath (caldarium) areas. The heating system, known as hypocaust, was one of the great achievements of Roman engineering, allowing the floor and walls to be heated through the circulation of hot air beneath the pavement, fueled by furnaces.

The Importance of Water

The name "Fonte Santa" (Holy Spring) is not coincidental, highlighting the crucial importance of the natural water spring for the existence and functioning of these baths. In Roman times, the choice of location for building thermal baths was intrinsically linked to the availability and qualities of the water, which could be used for purification, medicinal treatments, and relaxation. Water was, therefore, the central element around which the entire structure developed, vital for the health and well-being of those who frequented them.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt