The Roman baths of Eretria, an important archaeological complex that sheds light on the city’s history and everyday life during the Roman period, are to be restored and brought to prominence by the Ministry of Culture.

The baths are located on the southern slope of the acropolis, within the designated archaeological site of Eretria, the most important archaeological site on the island of Euboea. The public bathing complex, covering an area of approximately 400 sq m, was brought to light during excavations conducted by the Swiss Archaeological School between 2009 and 2014.

The excavations shed light on the history of Eretria during the Late Roman period, when the city underwent a transformation from its imperial-era form and contracted towards the foothills of the acropolis. The bath complex dates from the second to the third century AD. Beyond its historical value, it forms part of a wider archaeological ensemble, as it lies close to the Sebasteion, the House of the Mosaics and the Quarter of the Panathenaic Amphorae.

The complex is a characteristic example of Roman bath architecture. It comprises an entrance hall leading to a large changing room, or apodyterium, equipped with benches and a mosaic floor; a cold room, or frigidarium, with a cold-water pool; and a series of heated rooms – the tepidarium, laconicum and caldarium – with two hot-water baths.

A small colonnaded courtyard next to the changing rooms served as a place for rest and socialising. Large furnaces were also found on the northern side of the complex, along with a vaulted bath dating from the Late Hellenistic to Early Imperial period. Its discovery adds historical depth to the use of the area for bathing in the ancient city. The location of the baths further underlines their importance as part of a wider archaeological ensemble.

“These finds form a unique archaeological complex, a ‘living’ museum emerging from the modern urban fabric and helping to define the identity of present-day Eretria. They document the area’s continuous use over time and contribute to a fuller understanding of the city’s development during the Roman period. By restoring and showcasing them, we are protecting the original remains and making both the function and historical significance of the monument easier to understand,” said Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni.

She added: “The intervention forms part of the Ministry of Culture’s wider plan to link the archaeological sites of Eretria, with the aim of creating a unified, organised site that is accessible to visitors. We seek to establish a meaningful connection between the baths and neighbouring archaeological sites, as well as existing or planned visitor routes, so that visitors can enjoy a more complete and accessible experience.

“In this way, the monument becomes part of a broader framework for the protection, promotion and interpretation of ancient Eretria, strengthening the coherence of the archaeological landscape and making its historical remains easier to understand, while also reinforcing their connection with the modern town and the local community.”

The architectural study, prepared by the Swiss Archaeological School, is fully aligned with the recently approved plan to link the monuments within the archaeological site of Eretria. The project is being implemented by the Euboea Ephorate of Antiquities and is included in the Central Greece Regional Operational Programme 2021–2027.

The planned interventions include measures to protect vulnerable archaeological remains, consolidate architectural elements and make the layout and function of the complex easier to understand. The proposal also envisages expanding the archaeological site by connecting it with the wider area of Eretria and nearby sites of archaeological interest around the House of the Mosaics.

More specifically, the proposals include the conservation and partial reconstruction of the walls of the bath rooms; permanent protective covering for the brick floor of the entrance hall (vestibule); partial reconstruction of the marble bench in the apodyterium; and protection of the floors and hypocaust heating systems in the tepidarium, laconicum, frigidarium and colonnaded courtyard.

The proposed interventions are based on the principles of monument protection and enhancement, with an emphasis on the quality of materials and the compatibility of construction methods. They will involve specialised conservation and consolidation work, as well as the repositioning of surviving elements where necessary. The aim is also to integrate the new features discreetly into the natural and archaeological surroundings.