Arab Baths, Medieval public baths in Medina Quarter, Ceuta, Spain.
The Arab Baths are a medieval public bathing complex located in the Medina district of Ceuta, Spain. The site is made up of several chambers arranged in sequence, each intended for a different water temperature, with barrel-vaulted brick ceilings still standing above them.
These baths were built during the 12th and 13th centuries, when the city was under Muslim rule, and stayed in use until Portuguese forces took control in the 15th century. After that, they fell out of use and were gradually buried underground, where they remained hidden for several centuries.
For the Muslim community living here in medieval times, these baths were a place to meet and fulfill religious cleansing rituals at the same time. Walking through the rooms today, visitors can get a sense of how bathing and daily social life were closely tied together in one shared space.
The site is on Plaza de la Paz and easy to reach on foot from the city center. Some areas have uneven ground from excavation work and low ceilings in certain chambers, so comfortable, sturdy shoes are a good idea before visiting.
Beneath the bath floors, archaeologists found a heating system that closely resembles the Roman hypocaust technique, where warm air was circulated through underground channels. The excavations carried out between 2000 and 2004 showed how heat was distributed to each chamber separately, pointing to a sophisticated level of planning.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
