The Romans were some of the most famous engineers of the ancient world. While they never built anything quite as spectacular and absurdly big as the Great Pyramid of Giza and its impressive interiors, much of the monumental architecture they built remains today. Some of their bridges (like Puente Romano in the Spanish city of Merida) remain in use. Many of their theaters and amphitheaters still stand and are used for modern concerts and events (like the Roman theater at Carthage in Tunisia).
Wherever the Romans went, they built theaters and baths. Public cleanliness and recreation were of the utmost importance to the Roman way of life. Perhaps the most famous surviving Roman baths today are in the English town of Bath (a day trip from London).
But there are other Roman baths still in use without the much later Gregorian architecture that characterizes Bath, England. One example is the Hammam Essalihine in Algeria.
The Living Roman Baths Of Aquae Flavianae / Hammam Essalihine
When travelers go to ancient Roman ruins, the atmosphere is typically quiet and contemplative. But the old Roman baths of Aquae Flavianae (today called Hammam Essalihine) in Algeria tell a different story. They are full of noise, life, and laughter as people continue to enjoy the rejuvenating waters of the baths just as the Romans did 2,000 years ago.
- Built: During Flavian Dynasty – AD 69-96
In Roman times, the baths were called Aquae Flavianae. But today, they have an Arabic name, “Hammam Essalihine” (translates as “The Bath of the Righteous”). They are located in the Aures Mountains of the Khenchela Province of Algeria. As the old Latin name suggests, they originated during the time of the Flavian Dynasty. Ottoman brickwork and repairs are also visible at the site. The site is nestled in the green pines, oaks, and cedar forests of the Aures Mountains in northern Algeria. It is a great place to relax amid some of the most remarkable public works the Romans left behind.
Source : https://www.thetravel.com/what-to-know-about-the-roman-bath-in-algeria/
