Roman Baths

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Vila Real > Chaves > Chaves > Quinta da Estação

Location

The Roman Baths Museum of Chaves is located in the city of Chaves, belonging to the district of Vila Real, a historically rich region in northern Portugal. Specifically, the site is integrated into the Quinta da Estação, an area that hosts the important remains of the ancient Roman city of Aquae Flaviae. Its central position allows for direct immersion in the past, where the presence of thermal waters was, and continues to be, a defining aspect of the place's identity.

History and Archaeological Remains

This museum space offers an in-depth look at Roman life in Aquae Flaviae, with particular emphasis on the fundamental role of the baths in the society of the time. The museum preserves and exhibits in situ the remaining structures of the ancient baths, revealing the complexity and ingenuity of Roman architecture and engineering. Through meticulously displayed archaeological finds, such as coins, ceramics, and other everyday artifacts, visitors are transported to the world of these complex bathing facilities, which served as centers for hygiene, leisure, and social interaction. The museum's narrative details the exploration and use of thermal waters by the Romans, a natural resource that profoundly marked the history of Chaves.

Roman Thermal Architecture

The ruins presented in the Roman Baths Museum of Chaves are a remarkable testament to the Romans' architectural ingenuity. It is possible to observe the different compartments that constituted the bathing areas, from the hotter spaces, such as the caldarium, to the more temperate and cold ones, such as the frigidarium, as well as the sophisticated heating systems. The hypocaust systems, which allowed for the circulation of hot air under the floor and within the walls, are noteworthy for ensuring the heating of the environments. The way thermal water was channeled and utilized for various bathing purposes demonstrates the advanced skill of Roman builders in combining functionality with the pursuit of user well-being.

The Legacy of the Waters

The existence of the Roman Baths Museum of Chaves underscores the enduring importance of thermal waters for the city. Since the founding of Aquae Flaviae, the hydrogeological wealth of the site was recognized and intensely exploited by the Romans, establishing Chaves as a reference center for the use of these waters with healing properties. The museum not only safeguards and exhibits the physical evidence of this ancient past but also helps to understand the city's deep and continuous connection to its most valuable natural resource, an element that has shaped its identity and development over the centuries.

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