Healing Waters And Spas

Ancient waters were sources of healing in ancient Roman times, and the gods were present to guarantee healing. Rome offered the Lacus Iuturnae in the Forum Romanum, the spring of Anna Perenna in the periphery, and the Almo River, along the Via Appia. Down south, the soothing waters of Baiae were legendary in the Gulf of Pozzuoli, frequented by the rich and famous of Roman society. Tuscany offered the healing waters of Saturnia and Casciano dei Bagni, which has yielded a spectacular treasure trove of bronze statuary offered by those healed. We'll also look abroad to Pergamon's Asclepieion and to Algeria's thermal spa, still in use over 1900 years ago!