Termas Medicinais Romanas de Chaves

Termas Medicinais Romanas de Chaves is a Roman spa complex in the centre of Chaves, in northern Portugal, at roughly 41.739 N, 7.468 W. Traces of the ancient bathhouse only came to light in 2006, during work in the historic part of town. Today it is one of the most important ancient sites in the Trás-os-Montes region, and a rare chance to see how the Romans used naturally hot medicinal water.

What are the Roman baths of Chaves?

The complex dates to the 1st century AD and belonged to the Roman town of Aquae Flaviae. The name refers to the thermal springs the settlement grew around. Portuguese sources describe the site as the most important thermal complex in the country. In December 2012 it was classified as a National Monument.

What will you see?

This is a monumental bathing complex made up of:

• three pools,
• three rooms with opus signinum floors, a Roman waterproof mortar mixed with crushed ceramic,
• a castellum aquae, the tank that distributed the water,
• an elaborate system for bringing water in and draining it away.

You see not only the pools but also the engineering that delivered hot water where it was needed. The remains have been conserved and turned into a museum, so you visit them as an exhibition with the surviving structures in view.

Why did the Romans settle here?

The thermal springs were one of the reasons the Romans set up an important stopping point here on Route XVII, linking Bracara Augusta (modern Braga) with Asturica Augusta (modern Astorga in Spain). The settlement grew and in 79 AD gained full municipal rights under the name Aquae Flaviae. The baths were therefore among the foundations of the whole town.

Frequently asked questions

Where does the name Aquae Flaviae come from? It is the Roman name of present-day Chaves, used from 79 AD when the town received municipal status.

When were the baths discovered? In 2006, during works in the historic centre.

How old are they? They date to the 1st century AD.

Is the site protected? Yes. It has been a National Monument since December 2012.

Can you visit? Yes, it operates as a museum. Check opening hours and ticket prices on the museum's official website before you go.

Who is it for?

History and archaeology fans, anyone interested in ancient engineering, and travellers exploring northern Portugal. A visit pairs well with a walk through central Chaves, a town tied to hot water rising from the ground for two thousand years. It helps explain why people here valued these springs and how seriously they took healing baths.

Practical tips

Allow at least an hour to take in the pools, the rooms and the water system without rushing. The site is in the town centre, so it is easy to reach on foot from nearby streets. Combine it with the town's other monuments and a taste of the local cuisine of Trás-os-Montes.