In today’s modern cities, spaces inspired by luxury gyms and minimalist spas with cold plunge pools are gaining popularity, much like the bathhouses of the Roman Empire. Recent discoveries in Ilici, Spain; Elâzığ, Türkiye; and Pompeii further prove these structures were more than just places for bathing. For instance, a massive 14,000-square-meter bath complex in Spain, adorned with intricate mosaics, showcased the city’s prosperity. In Türkiye, a 3rd-century complex stands out with its sophisticated hypocaust system, heating the floors with circulating hot air.
These bathhouses were meticulously decorated by itinerant artists and mosaic workshops. Art served as both a display of wealth and an integral part of daily life. A newly discovered mosaic at Italy’s Villa Romana del Casale depicts a figure wearing flip-flops, a common footwear of the time, often paired with socks—much like today’s fashion. Even Pharaoh Tutankhamun’s tomb contained four pairs of socks and sandals for the afterlife.
As art historian Katherine Dunbabin notes, mosaics in bathhouses could serve practical purposes, like reminding visitors to remove their shoes, while also showcasing the owner’s taste and luxury. A newly uncovered private bath in Pompeii, capable of hosting 30 guests, was adorned with elegant wall frescoes and mosaic floors. In nearby Baiae, underwater archaeologists discovered what might have been Cicero’s sauna. Much like today, guests were first invited to the bath, then served dinner.
Today, luxury wellness centers like New York’s upcoming Kith Ivy/Padel continue this social tradition. Whether lounging in flip-flops at a Roman bath or posting a $22 smoothie on Instagram in Manhattan, bathhouses remain popular hubs for exercise, art, and being seen. These discoveries reveal that humanity has always transformed personal care routines into something greater—a broader social purpose.
