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Achilliane Thermae

The Achillian Baths extend below the walkable level of the Duomo up to via Garibaldi. Affected by the eruption of 1669 and the earthquake of 1693, the complex was brought to light at the behest of the Prince of Biscari.

Thanks to the water wealth enjoyed by the city in Roman times, in that period were built many thermaes of which are still visible remains of the Achilliane thermae, Indirizzo and Rotonda’s ones.

The Achilliane thermae extend below the Duomo’s level and its square walked up to Via Garibaldi, you can come in through a door on the right side of the the Cathedral’s facade. We know the thermae complex’s name, they were built in Roman times probably around the third century A.D., thanks to an inscription dating from the fifth century a.C. and to the acts of the bishop San Leone from eighth century that talks about it, but whatever its origin is still a mystery, some historians assume comes from the name of the manufacturer or by a statue of the greek hero Achilles, which didn’t come to us.

The volcanic eruption of 1669 and the subsequent earthquake in 1693 covered the bath complex and it was excavated at the behest of Ignazio Paternò Castello, prince of Biscari. The structures of the building have been preserved untouched, the largest square local has vaulted ceilings supported by four massive pillars; inside the bath, that it’s covered with marble, it’s still possible to see an iron structure to which, presumably, sunbathers supported to enter in the water.

Advancing in the western part of the building you can see the flowing Amenano and glimpse the Elephant’s fountain’s foundations.

In the vaultes of the square room you can still see the frescoes depicting scenes of rural character and vines dating from the classical era, from which derives the name “Bacchus’ bath” used in the past by some historians to identify this thermae.

In recent excavations of 2003 have been brought to light the two flights of stairs leading to the second level of the building, so it had to be clearly visible from the sea.

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