---
title: Roman Bath Archaeological Site
slug: roman-bath-archaeological-site-a505b
url: /detay/roman-bath-archaeological-site-a505b
type: article
language: English
entity:
  primary: Roman Bath Archaeological Site
  type: article
  disambiguation: Explore Ankara's Roman Bath: a 3rd-century AD archaeological site & open-air museum.  Discover its history!
  categories:
    - name: Architecture
      slug: mimari
      url: /kategori/mimari
    - name: Travel And Tourism
      slug: seyahat-ve-turizm
      url: /kategori/seyahat-ve-turizm
    - name: Archeology
      slug: arkeoloji
      url: /kategori/arkeoloji
  tags:
    - Roman Bath
    - excavations
    - archaeological site
    - Open-Air Museum
    - Ankara
author: Melike Saraç
created_at: 2025-06-25T20:46:59.633206+03:00
updated_at: 2025-06-25T21:17:03.270912+03:00
---

# Roman Bath Archaeological Site

<!-- CONTEXT: KURE Information Cards for "Roman Bath Archaeological Site" -->

## KURE Information Cards

![861c3bc9-e30f-4df0-ba5c-b2880fc190b4.jpg](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/06/25/OkP4vgUbRYxUZthMkBXNCTpPcxOaP1Q6.jpg)
*Roman Bath Archaeological Site*

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Period(s) | Roman A.D. 212–217 (Caracalla) |
| Visiting Information | Open 7 Days a Week |
| Site Area | 65,000 m² |
| Exhibited Artifacts | Gravestones (Stelae) Inscriptions Architectural Fragments |
| Excavations | 1937–1943 2007–2011 |
| Location | Çankırı Street,Türkiye,Ankara,Ulus |

<!-- CONTEXT: Article Content for "Roman Bath Archaeological Site" -->

## Article Content

The [Roman Bath](/en/detay/roma-hamami-orenyeri-312fc/llms.txt) is an archaeological site located in the Ulus district of [Ankara](/en/detay/ankara-2/llms.txt), Türkiye, on Çankırı Street. Positioned on a plateau approximately 2.5 meters high, this significant archaeological area dates back to the Roman period. It is a large bath complex built by Roman Emperor Caracalla (A.D. 212–217) in honor of the God of Health, Asclepius, and holds great historical and archaeological value. Settlement layers from the Phrygian, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman periods have been identified beneath the structure.

![Image](https://cdn.kureansiklopedi.com/media/uploads/2026/02/11/roman-bath-archaeological-site-a505b-20190201120327788_THK%20ORHAN%20OZGULBAS%20ANKARA%20roma%20hamami%20logolu.jpg)
*Roman Bath Archaeological Site (Türkiye Kültür Portalı)*

### **History and Architecture**

Constructed in the 3rd century A.D., the bath complex measures approximately 80 x 130 meters. Built of stone and brick, the structure consists of two main sections: the *palaestra* (a sports and physical training area) and the enclosed bath area. The *palaestra* is surrounded by a colonnaded portico with numerous inscribed columns. Water was supplied to the complex from [Elmadağ](/en/detay/elmadag-district-126b3/llms.txt), located about 40 kilometers away, using large stone blocks. During the Roman Empire, this site served as one of the largest baths in ancient Ankara.

### **Excavations and Archaeological Findings**

The first excavations were conducted in 1937 by Prof. Dr. Remzi Oğuz Arık. Between 1939 and 1943, the entire bath structure was unearthed. Excavations carried out from 2007 to 2011 revealed the architectural layout of the colonnaded street and associated shops northeast of the *palaestra*. A large statue of a Roman emperor was also discovered during these excavations.

![Image](https://cdn.kureansiklopedi.com/media/uploads/2026/02/11/roman-bath-archaeological-site-a505b-HAZIRAN%2Fagustos%2FMAAAAAAAAAAAAA.jpg)
*Roman Bath Archaeological Site (Anadolu Ajansı)*

### **Open-Air Museum and Exhibited Artifacts**

Between 1997 and 2001, the Roman Bath site was transformed into an open-air museum. Covering an area of approximately 65,000 square meters, the site displays around a thousand gravestones, inscriptions, and architectural fragments, mostly from the Roman and Byzantine periods. Gravestones are exhibited in the southern and western wings of the sports area; inscribed blocks, pedestals, and water pipes in the northern wing; altars and architectural pieces in the eastern wing; and sarcophagi and lion statues in the central area. The inscriptions provide insight into the social and cultural life of retired Roman soldiers who lived in ancient Ankara.

![Image](https://cdn.kureansiklopedi.com/media/uploads/2026/02/11/roman-bath-archaeological-site-a505b-HAZIRAN%2Fagustos%2FHAMAMM_.jpg)
*Roman Bath Archaeological Site (Anadolu Ajansı)*

### **Preservation and Visitation**

The Roman Bath Archaeological Site is protected under the supervision of the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. It is open to visitors seven days a week. Restoration and landscaping efforts are ongoing, and various preservation measures are implemented to ensure the protection of the structure and the exhibited artifacts.

<!-- CONTEXT: Academic Sources and References for "Roman Bath Archaeological Site" -->

## Academic Sources and References

1. Anadolu Ajansı. “Başkent’in Açık Hava Müzesi: Roma Hamamı.” Anadolu Agency. Accessed June 25, 2025. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/kultur-sanat/baskentin-acik-hava-muzesi-roma-hamami/1238800.Türkiye Culture Portal. “Roma Hamamı Açık Hava Müzesi ve Ören Yeri.” Republic of Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Accessed June 25, 2025. https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/turkiye/ankara/gezilecekyer/roma-hamami-acik-hava-muzes-ve-oren-yer.Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Culture and Tourism. “Roma Hamamı.” Accessed June 25, 2025. https://muze.gov.tr/muze-detay?SectionId=ROM01&DistId=MRK.