Byzantine Bath

Thessaloniki, Greece

The Byzantine Bath in Thessaloniki is one of the few and best preserved of the Byzantine baths that have survived from the Byzantine period in Greece.

The baths date to the late 12th/early 13th century, and functioned continuously until 1940, when they shut down probably due to World War II and the German occupation of Greece. The Byzantine sources do not mention it, hence it is likely that it originally belonged to a monastery complex.

The bath's long use led to numerous alterations of the original structure over time. The original architecture follows the typical conventions of Roman baths. The original entrance in the south leads to the rectangular frigidarium rooms, which were used as dressing rooms. Then came two vaulted tepidarium rooms and finally two caldarium rooms. The latter were square in shape and featured hypocausts below the floor. One was covered by a dome supported by an octagonal base with eight windows, the other had a domed ceiling. To the north of the baths was the cistern that provided it with water, with a hearth beneath to warm it. In Byzantine times the building was alternately used by men and women, but in the Ottoman period the bath was divided into exclusively male and female sections, by blocking off each pair of rooms from each other.

The bath was one of several in the city, but is the only surviving in Thessaloniki and the largest and most complete of the handful of Byzantine baths surviving elsewhere in Greece.

In 1988, it was included among the Paleochristian and Byzantine monuments of Thessaloniki on the list of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

Following four years of restoration work, the bath was re-opened to the public as a museum and cultural space in June 2015.

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Details

Founded: 12th century
Category: Prehistoric and archaeological sites in Greece

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Dimitris V. (11 months ago)
There is no entrance fee. The baths are in Thessaloniki's Ano Poli (Old City), and date to 1300 AD. They represent a rare example of a Byzantine bath-establishment in the Greek world. In operation until 1940, the baths remain preserved today.
Karen Skelding (12 months ago)
Despite the website stating the Baths were open on Wednesdays and Fridays 10am to 1pm, I visited at 11am on Friday and it was all locked up. Beautiful building but disappointed not to go inside
Bas Wiltink (15 months ago)
One of the best visiths in Thessaloniki- because it's a secular (non relgious( site from the Eastern Roman Empire, presevered in the modern day city.
Tom (Bozz) (3 years ago)
I had a pleasant visit here walking up the hill, towards the old walls and monastery. This little gem is well worth a visit. Surprising to see it surrounded on all sides. Probably was spared due to the baths being in operation until 1940.
pts pts (4 years ago)
What a nice find! Didn't realize this was here till I stumbled into it
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