Roman baths of Gafsa

The Roman baths of Gafsa (French: Piscines Romaines) are well-preserved^[1] remnants of the Limes Tripolitanus era of North African history, when Gafsa, Tunisia was called Capsa.^[2] According to a history of water in the Roman world, "there are two open-air central pools" in part because it was a Trajanic colony.^[3] The baths and the nearby Gafsa Oases were both established because of a local spring that emerges from the nearby mountains.^[4] Sallust mentioned the oasis/settlement existing circa 100 BC.^[4] A "Byzantine fortress" also remains.^[5]

Roman pool in Gafsa

Roman baths at Gafsa Tunisia photographed 1905

The American 16th Infantry Regiment used the baths for a respite during the North African campaign of World War II.^[6]

See also

• Aïn Doura Baths
• Licinian Baths
• List of Roman public baths
• List of Byzantine forts and other structures in the Maghreb
• Capsa