The Indirizzo Roman baths at Catania

Roman baths are not only fascinating architectural structures but also provide many insights into the ancient culture. They represent an emblematic step in the process of civilization, indicative of the importance of cities or of the families that had them built. Their heating systems exemplify the outstanding level of technological progress achieved by the Romans in the art of building. This study investigates the “Indirizzo” Baths in Catania (Sicily), one of the best-preserved thermal buildings anywhere in the Roman Empire. In order to bridge the gap in the knowledge of this monument, an interdisciplinary approach is proposed. New in situ analyses, topographic and 3D laser scanning surveys, examined in comparison with previous studies, help provide an in-depth investigation of the three-dimensional spatiality, the functional layout, the construction techniques and operation of the heating system.