Thermes de Cimiez, Roman thermal baths in Cimiez, France
Thermes de Cimiez is a Roman bathing complex in Nice consisting of three main bath sections spread across two hectares of land. The site preserves cold rooms, warm rooms, and hot chambers linked by corridors, along with underground heating systems that warmed the floors and walls.
These thermal baths were constructed in the first century to serve the population of Cemenelum, the Roman settlement that occupied the site before Nice developed. In the fifth century, the western section was converted into a religious complex with a cathedral and baptistery.
The baths shaped daily life in the Roman settlement, as residents visited regularly to bathe and socialize with others. Moving through the different rooms was part of a familiar routine that connected people across social classes.
Wear comfortable shoes with good grip, as the site has uneven ground and several steps, especially in underground areas. Check current accessibility information at the entrance, as some sections may have restricted access or temporary closures.
The floor heating system used remarkable Roman engineering where hot air was channeled through pipes beneath the ground to warm the rooms evenly. Archaeologists discovered this same technique was so efficient that it rivals some modern heating methods.
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