Ussana, Roman baths

The site is geographically located in a fertile flat area on the border between the Parteolla and the southern Campidano, near the course of the Mannu River.
It is a thermal facility reused in part as a foundation for the construction of the medieval church of San Lorenzo. Around a large central room (probably the “tepidarium”, room heated to medium temperature) there are several rooms. The 'calidaria' (heated rooms), the 'praefurnia' (rooms and ovens for heating), the 'laconicum' (room intended for steam baths), the 'frigidaria' (rooms equipped with a cold bath tub) are still visible.
The building seems to date back to around the 4th century AD. It was probably connected to a “rustic villa” whose remaining wall structures were destroyed during some agricultural interventions (the term “villa” refers to a house located outside the city walls; the expression “rustic villa” designates the space of the villa intended for rural activity, while the “urban villa” was the space intended to accommodate the owner).

History of excavations
The structures were highlighted by Giovanni Lilliu in 1949.

Bibliography
C. Cossu-G. Nieddu, Thermal baths and suburban villas of Roman Sardinia, Oristano, S'Alvure, 1998.

How to get there
Leave the SS 131 at the height of Monastir and after the first junction turn in the direction of Ussana, along the SS 466. Cross the village and take the SP 10 in the direction of Ussana. The site can be reached by following the road signs, turning to s. near the CRAS plant.