The Barbara Baths (German: Barbarathermen) are a large
Roman bath
In ancient Rome, (from Greek , "hot") and (from Greek ) were facilities for bathing. usually refers to the large imperial bath complexes, while were smaller-scale facilities, public or private, that existed in great numbers throughout ...
complex in ''
Augusta Treverorum'', modern-day
Trier
Trier ( , ; lb, Tréier ), formerly known in English as Trèves ( ;) and Triers (see also names in other languages), is a city on the banks of the Moselle in Germany. It lies in a valley between low vine-covered hills of red sandstone in the ...
,
Germany
Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...
. Stretching over 42,000 square meters, it is the largest Roman bath north of
the Alps
The Alps () ; german: Alpen ; it, Alpi ; rm, Alps ; sl, Alpe . are the highest and most extensive mountain range system that lies entirely in Europe, stretching approximately across seven Alpine countries (from west to east): France, Sw ...
.
Along with other sites in Trier, the bath complex was designated a
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...
World Heritage Site
A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for h ...
in 1986 as part of the
site, because of its historical importance and sprawling architecture.
History
Roman Period
The Barbara Baths were built in the second half of the 2nd century C.E. along with a burst of building activity including a
new bridge New Bridge may refer to:
Bridges
* Chester New Bridge, County Durham, England
* Most Slovenského Národného Povstania (called the Nový Most, for New Bridge, until 2012), over the Danube in Bratislava, Slovakia
* New Bridge (Dublin), over the Ri ...
, an
amphitheater
An amphitheatre (British English) or amphitheater (American English; both ) is an open-air venue used for entertainment, performances, and sports. The term derives from the ancient Greek ('), from ('), meaning "on both sides" or "around" and ...
and large forum.
The Barbara Baths were built to meet the growing need for bathing in Trier when the
Forum Baths
The Forum Baths of Trier (German: Thermen am Viehmarkt or Viehmarktthermen) are a ruin of a Roman bath complex in ''Augusta Treverorum'', modern-day Trier, Germany. The baths were discovered in 1987.
History Roman Period
The Forum Baths of Tr ...
became too small, the Barbara Baths, when completed, would measure 172 m x 240 m and encompass two city blocks.
Their size would also increase demand for water, which would be supplied from the
Ruwer aqueduct. This burst of activity appears to be a part of displays of wealth fitting the seat of the
Roman Procurator of
Gallia Belgica Germania Inferior and
Germania Superior
Germania Superior ("Upper Germania") was an imperial province of the Roman Empire. It comprised an area of today's western Switzerland, the French Jura and Alsace regions, and southwestern Germany. Important cities were Besançon ('' Vesontio' ...
. The bathing rooms and
swimming pool
A swimming pool, swimming bath, wading pool, paddling pool, or simply pool, is a structure designed to hold water to enable Human swimming, swimming or other leisure activities. Pools can be built into the ground (in-ground pools) or built ...
was modeled after baths from North Africa. The heated rooms of the bathhouse are notable for using a two-story hypocaust. A marble torso of an Amazon warrior, now in the Landesmuseum Mainz, indicates that the bath complex would have been elaborately decorated with imported statues from Italy.
It remained in use through the end of the fourth century.
But the complex fell out of use during the early fifth century as Trier was repeatedly sacked during the
Migration Period
The Migration Period was a period in European history marked by large-scale migrations that saw the fall of the Western Roman Empire and subsequent settlement of its former territories by various tribes, and the establishment of the post-Roman ...
.
Later usage
The extensive ruins were used as for many things following the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. As early as the 5th century C.E. there are recognizable remains of residential buildings, the beginnings of the suburb of
St. Barbara. Early Christian grave inscriptions demonstrate a possible
Merovingian
The Merovingian dynasty () was the ruling family of the Franks from the middle of the 5th century until 751. They first appear as "Kings of the Franks" in the Roman army of northern Gaul. By 509 they had united all the Franks and northern Gauli ...
period church. Later in the Middle ages fortifications were installed in the ruins as seen in
Matthäus Merian and
Alexandre Wiltheim Alexandre may refer to:
* Alexandre (given name)
* Alexandre (surname)
* Alexandre (film)
See also
* Alexander
* Xano (disambiguation) Xano is the name of:
* Xano, a Portuguese hypocoristic of the name " Alexandre (disambiguation)"
* Idálio Ale ...
's drawings. Stating in 1611 C.E. the remains were recycled as building material for constructing a Jesuit College, which was later destroyed.
Current Remains
Only the foundations and the subterranean service tunnels have survived, but the technical details of the sewer systems, the furnaces, the pools, and the heating system can be studied better than in the other two baths of Trier.
The site is open to visitors and the remains can be viewed from a footbridge, with waysides along the bridge to help visitors.
Gallery
Barbarathermen Trier ca. 360-370 n.Chr.jpg, Model of Augusta Treverorum showing location of Barbarathermen Trier ca. 360–370 AD
File:Barbarathermen Trier Merian 1646(1548).jpg, ca 1548 from an engraving by Matthäus Merian published 1646
File:Barbarathermen Trier Wiltheim 1620 4.jpg, Ruins of Barbara Baths by Alexandre Wiltheim, c. 1620
File:Barbarathermen Trier Wiltheim 1620 3.jpg, Ruins of Barbara Baths by Alexandre Wiltheim, c. 1620
File:Barbarathermen Trier Wiltheim 1620 1.jpg, Ruins of Barbara Baths by Alexandre Wiltheim, c. 1620
File:Barbarathermen Trier Wiltheim 1620 2.jpg, Ruins of Barbara Baths by Alexandre Wiltheim, c. 1620
File:Barbarathermen Trier, Bauhütte Trier 1990 2.jpg, Conservation and restoration of the Roman ruins (1990)
File:Barbarathermen, Bauhütte Trier.jpg, Conservation and restoration of the Roman ruins (1990)
File:Trier Barbarathermen.jpg, Barbara Baths Today
File:Trier1123.jpg, Sleeping Cupid in Rheinisches Landesmuseum Trier
See also
*
Ancient Roman bathing
Bathing played a major part in ancient Roman culture and society. It was one of the most common daily activities and was practiced across a wide variety of social classes. Though many contemporary cultures see bathing as a very private activity co ...
*
Thermae
In ancient Rome, (from Greek , "hot") and (from Greek ) were facilities for bathing. usually refers to the large Roman Empire, imperial public bath, bath complexes, while were smaller-scale facilities, public or private, that existed i ...
*
Forum Baths
The Forum Baths of Trier (German: Thermen am Viehmarkt or Viehmarktthermen) are a ruin of a Roman bath complex in ''Augusta Treverorum'', modern-day Trier, Germany. The baths were discovered in 1987.
History Roman Period
The Forum Baths of Tr ...
*
Trier Imperial Baths
The Trier Imperial Baths (German: Kaiserthermen) are a large Roman bath complex in Trier, Germany. The complex was constructed in the early 4th century AD, during the reign of Constantine I. During that time, Trier was a major imperial hub, bein ...
*
List of Roman public baths
This is a list of ancient Roman public baths (''thermae'').
Urban baths
Algeria
* Timgad
* Guelma (Calama)
* Héliopolis
* Hammam Meskoutine (Aquae Tibilitanae)
* Hammam Righa (Aquae Calidae)
* Hammam Essalihine (Aquae Flavianae)
...
References
External links
*
*
World Heritage Sites in Germany
Buildings and structures in Trier
Ancient Roman baths
History of Trier
Ancient Roman buildings and structures in Germany
{{AncientRome-stub