The Roman Baths and Open Air Museum

The Roman Baths and Open Air Museum

The Roman Bath ruins in Ankara are a sprawling museum that spans an impressive 65,000 square meters. Following extensive renovations in 1997, the ruins have been transformed into a unique and fascinating attraction for visitors.

The Roman Baths and Open Air Museum

Among the many relics found throughout the ruins are approximately 1,000 stones that have been classified into three main groups: tomb steles, tablets, and architectural pieces. The southern wing of the Palaestra houses tomb steles dating back to Roman and Byzantine times, while the northern wing contains blocks with inscriptions, pedestals, and water pipes. The eastern wing showcases architectural works such as altars, and visitors can also admire sarcophagi and lion sculptures in the central section.

Another fascinating feature of the Roman Baths and Open Air Museum is the Columned Road, which partially extends east of the bath building and palaestra towards the location of the former holy site of Augustus' temple in ancient Ancyra City. This impressive road was discovered during the construction of Çankırı Avenue in the early years of the Republican period. Thought to have been created around the 3rd century AD, the road boasts marble pillars with Corinthian heads and is a remarkable testament to the architectural achievements of the time.

According to the coins found during excavation, the Bath Building dates back to the reign of Caracalla (212-217 AD). Tiberius Julius Justus Julianus, a prominent figure in the city, was responsible for its construction, as confirmed by an inscription. Other coins discovered during the excavation suggest that the bath was in use for 500 years and underwent repairs during that time. The building's excellent state of preservation indicates that it was built to imperial standards rather than being a provincial city bath.