If you like ancient history, I’m sure Turkey is already on your bucket list.
Videos by TravelAwaits
Turkey is home to the world’s oldest confirmed archaeological ruins: The Neolithic site of Göbekli Tepe. Located in southeastern Turkey, the site is around 11,500 years old, having been established around 9500 BCE. It was the home of a hunter-gatherer tribe, showcasing some of humanity’s earliest technology and complex societal structures.
But, given that Turkey was a hub for humanity in late antiquity, you can find dozens of more recent ruins—including those left behind by the Roman Empire. Just like you can find expansive Roman ruins in places like North Africa, you can also find them around Turkey.
The best might be Basilica Therma, an ancient Roman spa town whose baths are still open to the public. That’s right—you can swim in a Roman bath that’s over 2,200 years old in Kaplicalar Village in Turkey’s Yozgat Province. Here’s what you need to know.
A closer look at the Basilica Therma or Sarikaya Roman Bath
Full disclosure: Some scholars challenge whether or not today’s Basilica Therma is actually the Roman spa town of Aquae Saravenae. Aquae Saravenae was an ancient town in Turkey’s Cappadoccia region during the Byzantine Empire. (The Byzantine Empire is also called the Eastern Roman Empire.)
The first time the bath was mentioned in antiquity was in the 2nd century CE in an atlas. It was later written by Latin sources and recorded in a famous map from the 13th century CE. Since 2018, Basilica Therma has been on UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites; it could be that the site is pending further evaluation by archaeologists.
The Roman bath of Aquae Saravenae measures around 75 x 42 feet and has a depth of almost 4.5 feet. There are two additional smaller baths on the site. Today, only the western façade of the bath remains—which would have been fully encircled during ancient times.
Additionally, the baths are heated by natural hot springs, which still maintain a temperature of around 113 degrees Fahrenheit—much hotter than the average hot tub, which is around 102 degrees Fahrenheit.
One local story tells of an ancient king whose young daughter was beset with rheumatism. She found comfort and healing in the ancient hot springs, which improved her condition and gave the hot springs a reputation for their healing powers. This is why some call the Roman baths as the ‘King’s Daughter’.
How to visit and swim in the Basilica Therma or Sarikaya Roman Bath
As mentioned above, Basilica Therma is located in Cappadocia in the village of Sarikaya. The easiest way to reach the village is by driving, which you can arrange with a local service.
You can also stay at the Basilica Therma Hotel & Spa, which is a three-star hotel located near the site. They have their own baths and a hammam for added spa time. You can also stay at another hotel in Sarikaya, then grab a taxi or walk to the site.
The Basilica Therma baths are open every day from 8:30 am until 6:30 pm. You can snack and purchase small drinks on-site. Photographers are also available to help you make the most of your visit.
Just know that the pools, now called a hammam, are surrounded by modern small town shops and apartments. The pools themselves are ancient, but they aren’t far enough off the beaten path to have a remote feel. In short, this site is great for history fans who like to swim.
If you want a bird’s-eye view, check out this post from HistoryMae on the destination.
