The archaeological ruin of one of the baths has been preserved and is occasionally used as a performance space, thus reflecting the ancient traditions of the site. The modern site is also home to Mediterranean-style gardens [ 6 ] that contain a variety of medicinal plants once used in bathing balms. The Roman bathhouse was a meeting place for all citizens.
It had four major bath chambers. The bather moved from warm to hot baths, through rooms of varying temperatures. Located under the floor, the heating system hypocaust allowed the air, warmed by wood fires in adjacent vaults, to circulate between pillars of terracotta disks that heated the marble floor; terracotta pipes in the walls allowed the air to rise up to the ceiling.
The bathing routine ended with a body massage of therapeutic oils. The high vaulted, spacious halls of the bathhouse also accommodated performances of jesters and musicians. The Berytus Baths were discovered in , then underwent major renovation in the mids. The terrible Berytus earthquake of AD destroyed all the baths. Today, one of the baths is used as an artistic performance and concert space.
The modern site is also home to Mediterranean-style gardens [ 8 ] that contain a variety of medicinal plants once used in bathing balms. Actually the gardens of these "Baths" are located inside the famous Garden of Forgiveness of modern Beirut.
Contents move to sidebar hide. Article Talk. Read Edit View history. Tools Tools. Download as PDF Printable version. In other projects. Wikimedia Commons Wikidata item. Historic site in downtown Beirut, Lebanon. Ruins of the Roman Baths of Berytus. Overview [ edit ]. History [ edit ]. See also [ edit ]. References [ edit ]. Bibliography [ edit ]. Roman archaeological sites in Lebanon. Archaeological sites in Lebanon.
