Għajn Tuffieħa Roman Baths
Encyclopedia
The Għajn Tuffieha Roman Baths were discovered in 1929 during government works to cap a fresh water spring
in the area. This spring, or a similar one, might explain why the baths
, which needed a constant flow of large amounts of water, were built in Għajn Tuffieħa, close to two of Malta’s
nicest sandy beaches.
Although the remains of other baths were discovered at Ramla Bay
, Marsaxlokk
and Marsa
, Għajn Tuffieħa remains the only one that has not been either covered over or destroyed.
The site is managed by Heritage Malta
and is currently closed to the public.
Site=
The site, one of the many excavated under the supervision of Sir Themistocles Zammit
, comprises a number of rooms. These represent the full repertoire seen in other Roman baths, including the Tepidarium
, Frigidarium
and Caldarium
. There is also a latrine and a corridor connecting small rooms which are usually interpreted to be changing or bedrooms. It is possible that these rooms acted as a dormitory for people visiting the baths as they cannot be connected with any residential remains of the same period.
All the rooms are decorated with intricate mosaic
s of coloured marbles and stones arranged in geometric designs. The corridors and latrine are, on the other hand, paved with ceramic lozenge-shaped tiles of a length of just fewer than ten centimeters.
Restoration=
In 1961, the site’s mosaics underwent restoration sponsored by UNESCO
and rooms were built to shelter and protect the remains. The site has also benefited in recent years from the UNESCO funded Malta Mosaics Project, which mapped mosaics and pavements at Għajn Tuffieha and the Domvs Romana
. The analysis of this mapping has resulted in a detailed conservation plan which will be implemented in the coming years.
The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development
has granted funds for the study and conservation of the site as part of the 2007 Rural Development Programme for Malta. These funs will help to create visitor facilities and open the site to the public.
Spring (hydrosphere)
A spring—also known as a rising or resurgence—is a component of the hydrosphere. Specifically, it is any natural situation where water flows to the surface of the earth from underground...
in the area. This spring, or a similar one, might explain why the baths
Thermae
In ancient Rome, thermae and balnea were facilities for bathing...
, which needed a constant flow of large amounts of water, were built in Għajn Tuffieħa, close to two of Malta’s
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
nicest sandy beaches.
Although the remains of other baths were discovered at Ramla Bay
Ramla Bay
Ramla Bay is located at the bottom of a rich and fertile valley on the northern side of the island of Gozo. Gozo is one of the Maltese islands. The village of Xagħra, located on one of the hills of Gozo, overlooks this valley. It is about a forty minute walk from Xagħra to the bay. The bay can also...
, Marsaxlokk
Marsaxlokk
Marsaxlokk is a traditional fishing village located in the south-eastern part of Malta, with a population of 3,277 people . The village’s name comes from marsa, which means "port" and xlokk, which is the local name for south east...
and Marsa
Marsa
Marsa is a town in the south of Malta, with a population of 5,389 people as of November 2005. The name Marsa means "the harbour".-History:...
, Għajn Tuffieħa remains the only one that has not been either covered over or destroyed.
The site is managed by Heritage Malta
Heritage Malta
Heritage Malta is the Maltese national agency for museums, conservation practice and cultural heritage. Created by the Cultural Heritage Act, enacted in 2002, the national agency replaced the former Museums Department....
and is currently closed to the public.
Site=
The site, one of the many excavated under the supervision of Sir Themistocles Zammit
Themistocles Zammit
Sir Themistocles Zammit was a Maltese archaeologist and historian, professor of chemistry, medical doctor, researcher and writer, serving as Rector of the Royal University of Malta and first Director of the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta.-Career:After graduating in medicine from the...
, comprises a number of rooms. These represent the full repertoire seen in other Roman baths, including the Tepidarium
Tepidarium
The tepidarium was the warm bathroom of the Roman baths heated by a hypocaust or underfloor heating system.The specialty of a tepidarium is the pleasant feeling of constant radiant heat which directly affects the human body from the walls and floor.There is an interesting example at Pompeii; this...
, Frigidarium
Frigidarium
A frigidarium is a large cold pool of Roman baths. It would be entered after the Caldarium and the Tepidarium, which were used to open the pores of the skin. The cold water would close the pores. There would be a small pool of cold water or sometimes a large Swimming pool...
and Caldarium
Caldarium
right|thumb|230px|Caldarium from the Roman Baths at [[Bath, England]]. The floor has been removed to reveal the empty space where the hot air flowed through to heat the floor....
. There is also a latrine and a corridor connecting small rooms which are usually interpreted to be changing or bedrooms. It is possible that these rooms acted as a dormitory for people visiting the baths as they cannot be connected with any residential remains of the same period.
All the rooms are decorated with intricate mosaic
Mosaic
Mosaic is the art of creating images with an assemblage of small pieces of colored glass, stone, or other materials. It may be a technique of decorative art, an aspect of interior decoration, or of cultural and spiritual significance as in a cathedral...
s of coloured marbles and stones arranged in geometric designs. The corridors and latrine are, on the other hand, paved with ceramic lozenge-shaped tiles of a length of just fewer than ten centimeters.
Restoration=
In 1961, the site’s mosaics underwent restoration sponsored by UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
and rooms were built to shelter and protect the remains. The site has also benefited in recent years from the UNESCO funded Malta Mosaics Project, which mapped mosaics and pavements at Għajn Tuffieha and the Domvs Romana
Roman Domus
The Roman domus is a Roman-era house just outside the walls of Mdina, Malta. The building dates back to the last half of 2nd century BC. As in other buildings of the same period, its pavements incorporate mosaic compositions which are comparable to those of Pompeii and Sicily...
. The analysis of this mapping has resulted in a detailed conservation plan which will be implemented in the coming years.
The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development
European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development
The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development is a European agricultural fund which was set up for the financing of Rural Development Programme actions by European Union Council Regulation No 1290/2005 of 21 June 2005 on the financing of the common agricultural policy.Rural development is...
has granted funds for the study and conservation of the site as part of the 2007 Rural Development Programme for Malta. These funs will help to create visitor facilities and open the site to the public.