Fürdőmúzeum

The Bath Museum is one of the exhibition sites of the Budapest History Museum in District III of Budapest, at Flórián Square numbers 3-5, in the pedestrian underpass. The exhibition presents the remains of the communal bath (therma) of the Roman-era Aquincum military camp.

Its entrance opens from the branch leading to Tavasz Street in the underpass. Between 1981 and 1984, two overpasses with two traffic lanes each were built above the ruin site for automobile traffic between Szentendrei Road and the Árpád Bridge, providing partial protection against weather conditions.

History, sights

In the 2nd–3rd centuries AD, the legionary military camp of Aquincum stood on the present Flórián Square and its surroundings. Archaeologists have determined that the communal bath here could have been the largest building of the former legionary camp.

The building was originally erected in the 2nd century, but in 260 it was almost completely destroyed during a war. Its reconstruction is reported by an inscription carved in stone from 268, which mentions the bath under the name Thermae Maiores (Great Bath). The original altar stone, together with the other archaeological finds, was placed in the Aquincum Museum; a copy is displayed here in the Bath Museum exhibition. The information panel placed at the entrance and the reconstructed drawing of the bath help visitors navigate among the ruins.

The approximately 120 × 140 m area of the bath building was located at the intersection of the two main roads of the legionary camp, with its main entrances opening onto the two streets. At its northern end stood a gymnasium, followed by the cold‑water pool, with changing rooms on its sides. Next to the warm‑water pool there was a circular sauna, and the hot‑water bathing area was arranged at the southern part. The exhibition clearly outlines the basic outlines of the individual building sections, rooms, and pools. In addition to the remains of the bathing rooms, the former water supply, sewer, and underfloor heating systems are also clearly discernible, some parts extending beneath the adjacent tenement building. The boards presenting the known buildings of the Aquincum legionary camp and the history of its research were also placed in this covered area.

In the 4th century the legion was relocated to another site. The Thermae Maiores ceased to exist, its building being converted into a palace, presumably for the military commander of the newly established province.

History of the research

A part of the bath was first uncovered by István Schönvisner in 1778, later presented in a protective building, “thus it is considered the first archaeological excavation and monument of Hungary,” – reads the information panel placed at the entrance. The first excavation was later followed by several others, in 1961 and between 1981–1984. In 1962 the ruin area was expanded with the newly uncovered and conserved parts, after which the museum was established. Its present form was achieved during the development of the multi‑level interchange at Ferenczy Square. The exhibition reopened in 1985 can be accessed from the underpass. In 2006, during an archaeological excavation preceding construction, further parts of the Thermae Maiores came to light.