Roman Baths (Small)

The object "Southern Roman Baths" or known among Varna residents as "Small Roman Baths" was accidentally discovered during excavations for a residential building in 1960. According to the archaeological materials of the leading archaeologist - Goranka Toncheva from 1961, the original building was built towards the end of the 2nd century and lasted until the 5th century. Probably in the 5th - 6th century. was rebuilt and extended to the north. There is evidence that the Southern Thermae were used in the 3rd - 6th century period, when Odessos, as well as the entire Roman Empire, was in decline, and the Northern Thermae were destroyed and did not function.

the discovered large rectangular public building is oriented north-south, as occupies a space of over 2,400 m2. The architectural complex was located right above the seashore and was located on two terraces. The lower one was most likely a dressing room, from which a stone staircase leads to a wide courtyard (palestra), and from there to most of the rooms - tepidarium, caldarium, frigidarium, etc. There is evidence that the function of the premises was also changed during the reconstruction.

In 1961 to the northeast, immediately next to the thermal baths, a bath for clarifying glass was discovered, dating from the 5th - 6th century. Then the upper terrace of the complex was also excavated, where buildings dating from the 3rd-2nd century BC were discovered, and there is evidence that they were upgraded with construction with later characteristics.

During the excavations, many valuable movable cultural assets were also discovered, which testify to the culture of ancient Odessos - ornaments, clay lamps, amphorae, over 450 bronze coins, dated from the 3rd-2nd century BC . Of interest are the votive reliefs of the Thracian horseman god and the Thracian goddess Bendida, the marble pedestals of statues, tablets depicting a seated woman and Eros, a cult vessel, which testify to the cultic function of the building in the northeastern part of the site - a sanctuary of the Thracian horseman god and the Thracian goddess Bendida.

The object has been socialized and is in relatively good technical condition.

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