Fordongianus, Roman Baths of Forum Traiani

The Fordongianus thermal complex, consisting of two separate establishments, is located on the left bank of the Tirso river, in the upper Oristano area.
The thermal complex, one of the most important in Sardinia, revolves around the urban site of “Forum Traiani” (hence the name Fordongianus). The town, founded late republican, was established by Trajan as a market center between the communities of the interior and the romanized populations of the hinterland of the Gulf of Oristano. By the beginning of the 4th century A.D. it was probably raised to the rank of “Municipium”.
The thermal baths, the ancient “Aquae Ypsitanae”, are arranged on various levels and are composed of two plants: the first, in N, from the 1st century AD; the second, in the S, from the 3rd century AD.
The first plant used the waters that still flow today at a temperature of 54 °C from the alluvial layer above the volcanic bank. The waters were harnessed by a concrete wall with a double wall made of squared vulcanite blocks, 3.5 m thick, which also served as an embankment to the floodplains of Tirso.
The original structure of the plant must have been in “opus quadratum”, that is, in large squared blocks of stone; later it underwent various modifications. At the center of the establishment is the “natatio”, a large rectangular pool (13 x 6.5 m; depth 1.5 m) for lukewarm bathing (the hot thermal water was diluted by adding cold water from reservoirs located upstream). The pool was covered with a barrel vault. The S and N sides were originally porches; the S porch remains with square-section pillars in vulcanite blocks and a barrel vault in cement reinforced by rings of wedged volcanic blocks. Square skylights provided lighting. On the N side of the “natatio”, three quadrangular pools were built, while on the E side there is a rectangular building with niches on the long sides; one of these has returned an altar dedicated to the nymphs by Servato, the emperor's freedman and prosecutor of the mines and imperial estates, for the healing of Quinto Bebio Modesto, governor of Sardinia close to the emperors Caracalla and Geta (211-212 AD).
The second plant, in S, occupies a rectangular area (30 x 12 m) whose structures in 'opus quadratum' are probably an incorporated part of the first plant. Built in “opus vittatum mixtum”, it probably had the original entrance overlooking the square paved in S. From the entrance there was access to the changing room (“apodyterium”), the “frigidarium” (rectangular room with two tubs), the “tepidarium” (rectangular room), and the “calidarium” (room with a rectangular tub). Unlike the first, the heating of the water in the second plant was artificial. The water supply was provided, by means of an efficient sewerage network, by a system of wells and tanks partly fed by the Roman aqueduct.
The connection between the two factories was secured by a staircase that overlooked the porch of the 'natatio'.
The rear square, paved with vulcanite, has a trapezoidal shape (25 x 30 x 25 m). On the eastern side, there is an “L” building, in “opus vittatum mixtum”, with five rooms and two rectangular rooms; one of these is frescoed with candlestick and griffin motifs, dating back to 200 AD. The building could be a “hospitium” linked to thermal environments.

History of the excavations
The first to indicate the location of the “Aquae Ypsitanae” and “Forum Traiani” in the territory of today's Fordongianus was the historian Giuseppe Manno (1825). The first archaeological excavations took place between 1899 and 1902, and were conducted by the Royal Commissioner of Museums and Excavations of Antiquities in Sardinia. Starting in 1969, the Superintendence for Archaeological Heritage of the Provinces of Cagliari and Oristano resumed systematic investigations at the site.

Bibliography
R. Zucca, Fordongianus. Sassari, C. Delfino, 1986 (Sardegna archeologica. Guide e itinerari; 4);
P. Meloni, La Sardegna romana, Sassari, Chiarella,1990;
S. Angiolillo, L'arte della Sardegna romana, Milano, Jaca Book, 1998;
R. Zucca, Viaggio nell'archeologia della provincia di Oristano, Oristano, E.P.T. Oristano, 2004;
A. Mastino, La Sardegna antica, Nuoro, Il Maestrale, Nuoro, 2005.

Tag

Structure category: archaeological area or park

Content type: Archaeological complex
Archaeology

Usability: Open

Province: Oristano

Common: Fordongianus

Macro Territorial Area: Central Sardinia

POSTAL CODE: 09083

Address: località Caddas, lungo fiume Tirso

Telephone: +39 0783 60157

E-mail: info@forumtraiani.it

Website: www.forumtraiani.it

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ForumTraiani

Instagram: www.instagram.com/antichetermefordongianus

January - December

Monday - Tuesday - Wednesday - Thursday - Friday - Saturday - Sunday

9:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Monday - Tuesday - Wednesday - Thursday - Friday - Saturday - Sunday

3:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Information on tickets and access: It is advisable to check for any changes in schedules by visiting the dedicated page of the Coop Company website. Forum Traiani, or by calling +39 0783 60157 before the visit.

Access mode: For a fee

Tickets :

Integer : 6 €, 15 years and over, The ticket includes a visit to the Casa Aragonese .

Reduced : 5 €, groups of minimum 20 people, The ticket includes a visit to the Casa Aragonese .

Reduced : 3 €, minors from 6 to 14 years old, The ticket includes a visit to the Casa Aragonese .

Services information: Multilingual audio guides are available in French, English, German, Spanish. The educational workshops (upon reservation) are aimed at students of: kindergarten, primary and first grade secondary school. The educational tour can be carried out both in the morning and in the afternoon, it is also possible to include lunch.

Other services: Specific visit itinerary for children.

Update

27/1/2026 - 14:55

Services

Teaching room