A well-preserved Roman bath has been uncovered during building work in the Swiss city of Baden. Archaeologists say it’s a key part of the city’s bathing history, which could go back uninterrupted for 2,000 years.
BadenExternal link, which is around 25 kilometres northwest of Zurich, was known as Aquae Helveticae in Roman times due its thermal springs. There is still a spa quarter today.
“We thought that we might find the bath here, but it was still a huge surprise when we saw that it was in such good condition,” archaeologist and Roman baths expert Andrea Schaer told swissinfo.ch via email.
The basin is thought to be part of Baden’s legendary open-air St Verena Baths that were used from the Middle Ages well into the 19th century. But the find was probably only used early on, and at some point during its history the St Verena Baths were made smaller and the Roman bath forgotten, archaeologists believe.
Historical importance
But it remains important for the town’s spa history because it may provide a clue to whether there was continuous use of the baths between Roman and Medieval times, which has not yet been proven.
“We are very happy that we have further evidence of a 2,000-year-old bathing history [in Baden],” added Schaer, who is leading the archaeological projectExternal link.
Also found was the structure that captured the spring water, which was built in the Middle Ages, but directly on the original Roman structure.
Both together are a “spectacular” find, Schaer told the Aargauer Zeitung.
Popular Stories
More
Multinational companies
Azeri fossil-fuel cash cow brings controversy to Switzerland
Swiss price watchdog slams excessive prices for generic medicines
This content was published on
The cheapest generic medicines available in Switzerland are more than twice as expensive as in other countries, according to a study by the Swiss price watchdog.
Nature should not figure in net zero calculations: academic study
This content was published on
The natural removal of CO2 from the atmosphere by forests or oceans should not be included in the net-zero balance of climate protection measures, argue researchers.
This content was published on
None of the 15 major Swiss retail banks is meeting international climate and biodiversity targets, according to a ranking by WWF Switzerland.
This content was published on
Nestlé's new CEO Laurent Freixe, has presented plans for the future of the world's largest food company, after his first few weeks in office.
Swiss foreign minister calls on Moscow to end Ukraine war
This content was published on
It's high time Moscow ended its war against Ukraine, Swiss foreign minister Ignazio Cassis tells the UN Security Council.
This content was published on
The only alternative to the UN Palestinian agency’s work in Gaza is to allow Israel to run services there, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, told reporters in Geneva on Monday.
Study reveals food culture differences between Switzerland and neighbours
This content was published on
Three-quarters of Swiss people consider eating to be a pleasurable, social activity, a new survey reveals. Healthy eating, however, plays a much less important role, it found.
This content was published on
Meet Adelasius Ebalchus. He lived in what is now northern Switzerland some 1,300 years ago, centuries after the collapse of the Roman Empire.
Switzerland’s hidden treasure trove of Roman mosaics
This content was published on
The small town of Orbe is home to the largest and most beautiful collection of Roman mosaics north of the Alps. Where are the visitors?
This content was published on
The anniversary was recently celebrated with a festival featuring gladiator fighting, a Roman theatre performance and mosaic workshops. In Aventicum’s heyday, it had several public baths, a theatre, a forum, a temple, arches, opulent houses with mosaics and heating systems, and a magnificent amphitheatre, which is still in use. Many of the ruins can still…
This content was published on
American writer Chantal Panozzo lived in Switzerland for almost ten years – long enough to fill a book with nearly 100 travel tips.
This content was published on
The ten-day Badenfahrt festival happens just once every ten years – transforming the spa town of Baden into a party animal’s playground.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.