Ankara - Caracalla Baths

About 300m/330yds north of Ulus Meydani in Çankiri Caddesi (south side) in Ankara are the remains of the Roman baths constructed by the emperor Caracalla between 212 and 217. The baths, probably dedicated to Aesculapius, god of health, were burnt down in the 10th century. They originally comprised several changing rooms and at least ten rooms containing baths with water at different temperatures. These would have ranged from a frigidarium (cold), to a piscina (swimming pool), tepidarium (lukewarm) and caldarium (hot). In front of the comparatively well-preserved lower floor of the baths with its covered passageways and heating system, can be seen the palaestra, where bathers did their exercises. Also on display are fragments of columns and capitals as well as some interesting Byzantine gravestones.