Caldarium

Caldarium of the Roman Bath in Bath . The floor was removed to make the hypocaust system visible

The caldarium (also: calidarium , from Latin caldus , calidus "warm, hot") is part of the classical Roman thermal baths , along with the tepidarium , the laconium or sudatorium and the frigidarium . The caldarium consists of a room in which the floor heated with hypocausts and often the walls and benches radiate an even heat of 40 to 50 ° C. The humidity is very high and is almost 100%. This type of bath is considered to be gentle on the circulation, the muscles relax. Additional scent essences should stimulate and be good for the respiratory tract. The caldarium can also be used as a preparation room for a hotter, dry sauna. In the caldariums there are usually several tubs with warm water, which also has a temperature of 40 to 50 ° C.

Caldariums are often located in the south of the thermal complex and are designed as an apse protruding from the building with large windows so that the sun can help heat the room.

literature

• Erika Brödner: The Roman thermal baths and the ancient baths. A cultural-historical consideration. Scientific Book Society, Darmstadt 1983, ISBN 3-534-08783-6