Arab Baths

On the northern outskirts of Ceuta's Medina district are the medium-sized medieval public baths known as the Arab Baths. It is believed that this has been inhabited since the eleventh century. Archaeological studies conducted in 2000 and 2004 revealed the baths had a single area for clothing and restrooms, followed by a cold bath and then a hot bath in the Roman tradition. There might have been other rooms.

The earliest occupation on this site in the Medina neighborhood of Ceuta's northern suburbs dates to the 11th century when remnants of a street and domestic structures were discovered. The two baths weren't constructed until the 12th and 13th centuries. Archaeological studies have revealed that the baths were designed in the manner established by the Romans, with one area for clothing and restrooms, followed by a cold bath and then a hot bath. There is evidence that additional rooms were once built, but these have since been gone, while some of the barrel vault ceilings have remained. The structure was expanded in the fourteenth century, but by the fifteenth century, its stones were being used in other construction projects.

The arched roofs may have formerly been coated with marble. In the seventeenth century, there was no need for structure. The baths were found while construction was being done on the street, and since then, excavations were conducted in 2000 and 2004. The public is welcome to view the remains. They look out of place on Ceuta's modern main avenue. In 2007, the baths were designated as a monument of national significance.

Location: P.º de la Marina Española, 51001 Ceuta, Spain