Cefalà Diana thermal baths

Details

The archaeological remains of Cefalà Diana constitute rare evidence of thermal baths dating back to the period of Arab domination in Sicily.

At least, that’s what some scholars say. The monumental version is from the Norman period, in the 12th century, and can be described as one of the oldest examples in Italy of an architectural structure built to harness a thermal spring for healing purposes. It is likely that the waters were also used for agricultural activities.

The monument incorporates a spring from which hot water flowed at 35/38 degrees Celsius and, according to recent reconstructions, was part of a complex that can be defined as a hospital in the Norman period. On the outside, there is an inscription in Kufic characters.

The interior of the building is divided into two parts: a striking wall with three arches, the central of which is ogival, and the largest room, covered by a vault with a lowered ogival arch that houses three connected pools.

And this is just the beginning: the journey of discovery of Arab-Norman art continues…

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