Terme dell'Indirizzo, Roman thermal complex in central Catania, Italy
Terme dell'Indirizzo is a Roman thermal complex in central Catania with ten preserved rooms, including a notable octagonal hall topped by a dome nearly 10 meters high. The spaces connect through limestone-framed doorways and follow the classical layout of separate sections for cold, warm, and hot water bathing.
The complex was built during the late imperial period between the 3rd and 5th centuries and served the local population near Catania's ancient commercial port. Over time it was damaged by earthquakes and eventually buried beneath city debris.
The name comes from the street under which the complex was buried until its discovery in 1903. It served as a meeting place where local people gathered to bathe and socialize together.
Access is through a modern entrance below street level, where the excavated rooms are presented in controlled conditions. Wear comfortable shoes since you walk on ancient floors, and prepare for limited natural lighting in the chambers.
The walls contain lead pipes and use construction methods that combine lava stone blocks with cement, similar to those in Catania's ancient amphitheater. This building technique demonstrates how Roman engineers adapted local volcanic materials to create durable underground structures.
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