Thermal compounds in Glanum, Roman thermal complex in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France.
The thermal compounds at Glanum were a large Roman bathing facility with rooms designed for different temperatures. The building featured separate chambers for cold, warm, and hot baths, connected by passageways that guided visitors through a logical progression.
The thermal complex was built during the reign of Augustus, between 40 and 20 BCE, on the site of earlier houses that occupied the location. This construction marked a shift toward investing in public bathing facilities as part of the town's development.
The thermal compound follows the architectural pattern of Stabian baths in Pompeii, demonstrating Roman influence on public infrastructure in ancient Gaul.
The site is located in the valley near Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and is freely accessible for walking through the remains. Visitors should be prepared for uneven ground and some exposed cavities where the ancient hypocaust heating system once operated.
In the southwest corner of the complex stands a specialized room called the unctorium, where Romans received oil treatments on their bodies after washing. This often overlooked space reveals how bathing was more than hygiene in Roman culture; it was a beauty and wellness ritual.
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