The Scholastica Baths are located in ancient Ephesus, on the city`s main street—Curetes Street (now part of the Ephesus Archaeological Park in Turkey). Situated between the Library of Celsus and the Temple of Hadrian, they stood at the heart of the city`s commercial and social life. This complex is a remarkable example of how people lived and relaxed in one of the wealthiest cities of the Roman Empire.
The baths were constructed in the 1st–2nd centuries AD, during the peak of the Roman Empire, but acquired their name later—in the 5th century AD, when a wealthy Christian woman named Scholastica funded their restoration. At the time, patronage was common: affluent citizens sponsored the repair of public buildings in exchange for recognition and legacy. This is one of the few ancient bath complexes preserving traces of both Roman and early Byzantine periods.
Architecture and Layout of the Scholastica Baths
Like all Roman baths, the Scholastica Baths followed the classic sequence of frigidarium – tepidarium – caldarium, but also included additional spaces for relaxation and socialization.
Frigidarium (Cold Room). A chilled area with a pool for cooling off. Marble steps and parts of the drainage system have survived.
Tepidarium (Warm Room). A heated chamber with an underfloor heating system (hypocaust). Visitors prepared here before moving to the hot baths.
Caldarium (Hot Room). A steam bath with a heating system (hypocaust + terracotta wall pipes). Some of the brick furnace arches remain intact.
Additional Facilities:
• Apodyterium (Changing Room) – Featured niches for storing clothes.
• Palaestra (Exercise Hall) – Once decorated with statues.
• Latrines (Public Toilets) – Equipped with marble seating.
What Has Survived to this day in the Scholastica Baths?
The Scholastica Baths are among the best-preserved bath complexes in Ephesus. Visitors can still see:
• Marble floors and walls – Some sections retain their original facing.
• Hypocaust (Heating System) – The brick supports beneath the floors are clearly visible.
• Fragments of frescoes and mosaics – Ornamental patterns can still be discerned in some rooms.
• Columns and arches – The façade facing Curetes Street is particularly impressive.
• Inscription with Scholastica’s name – A dedicatory plaque remains on one wall.
These baths exemplify typical Roman bathing culture—a place not just for washing but also for socializing, meetings, and relaxation. They showcase Roman engineering mastery (plumbing, heating, and ventilation systems). Don’t miss the ancient sewage system—a rare and advanced feature for its time.
