In addition to its hygienic function, baths (balneae) were a place to socialize. Thermal installations, which were set with all types
of luxury, were built to satisfy earthly pleasures in the same way as libraries
would fulfil the mind. |
Several rooms made up the baths in Torre Llauder: • Apodyterium (changing-room) • Frigidarium (cold-water baths) • Tepidarium (warm baths) • Caldarium (hot-water baths) |
Walls of the cold-water pool were covered with red opus signinum to prevent water leaking. The lower steps of the flight of steps leading into
the pool were covered with marble. |
The floor of the cold-water baths room (frigidarium) was paved with slate slabs and framed by a white marble edging. A step, also covered
with slate slabs, gave access to the pool, which had an apse on its northern
side. |
From the frigidarium there was access into the room of hot-water baths (caldarium) by going through a warm room (tepidarium). |
Both the tepidarium and the caldarium were heated by means of an under-floor heating system known as hypocaust. A
top floor (suspensura) was supported on tile stacks (pilae) to form an area through which hot gases drawn from the furnace (praefurnium) circulated. |
Hot water for a small pool (alveus) was heated in a bronze or lead boiler placed directly on top of the
furnace. As with the cold-water pool, this pool was waterproofed by a covering
of red opus signinum. |
A small room next to the furnace was most probably used for storing firewood. |