Unique 1,600-Year-Old Roman Indoor Pool Discovered in Albania

In the Albanian port city of Durrës, archaeologists have made a sensational discovery: a 1600-year-old Roman indoor pool, a first of its kind in the area. This find happened whilst Albanian archaeologists were excavating the site for a future school building, and stumbled upon the ruins of ancient villas once inhabited by Roman elites.

One of these villas contained the indoor pool, but that’s not all they found. The entire enclosure was decorated with Roman mosaics, well preserved despite being almost two millennia old.

A Roman Elite Neighborhood

The pool was just the latest find in an astonishing set of discoveries in the area. Archaeologists working ahead of the construction of the new school have uncovered an entire ancient Roman neighborhood.

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Tiles from the indoor Roman pool have been uncovered in-situ in a remarkable sate of preservation (Albania’s National Institute of Cultural Heritage / Facebook)

According to a May 9 Facebook post from Albania’s National Institute of Cultural Heritage, the site spans 1,200 square meters and offers a unique glimpse into the urban organization of the area, believed to have been an integral part of the city. The neighborhood looks to have been home to the Roman elite of the area.

“From the excavations, the remains of an indoor swimming pool of a Roman period residence were discovered, the first of its kind discovered in Albania. It is decorated on its entire surface with colorful frescoes of a high artistic level,” they wrote in the post.

The National Institute of Cultural Heritage estimates these Roman ruins, including the decorated indoor pool, date back to between 1 and 400 AD. The peak of the villa's development occurred in the 1st-2nd centuries AD.

Archaeologists believe the villa was destroyed by an earthquake in the 4th century AD. This tallies with ancient sources, but parts of the original structure and decorations appear to have survived the disaster.

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Two brick baths found in the site near the Roman indoor pool: it is theorized that the structure might have been a two-story bathhouse (Albania’s National Institute of Cultural Heritage / Facebook)

Further excavations at a different section of the site revealed several walls and a large brick floor. Comparisons with other Mediterranean sites suggest this is possibly the remnants of a two-story ancient Roman bathhouse (terme). The two story construction is suggested by the exceptional height of the walls, and would point to these being the ruins of a grand building.

Additional fragments of walls, ceilings, and tile mosaics were also discovered. Made with stucco, they featured various motifs, both anthropomorphic and floral. There are also traces of frescoes here. Additionally, a rainwater drainage channel, lined at some expense with ceramic tiles, has been found.

Durrës: A Gateway Between the East and West

Durrës, Albania’s oldest economic and historic center, has long served as a crucial gateway between the east and west. Located on the Adriatic coast of Albania, it’s one of the country’s oldest cities with origins dating back to the 7th century BC.

The city, originally known as Epidamnus by the Illyrians in the seventh and sixth centuries BC, was colonized by the Greeks in 672 BC, who renamed it “Dyrrhachium,” or “The city between the two hills.” Around 230 BC, when the Romans took control of the city, Durrës was already centuries old.

The Roman historian Catullus referred to it as “Dyrrhachium Adria e Taberna,” or “The Adriatic Tavern.” The renowned orator Cicero, who sought refuge in Durrës around 57 BC, praised the city for its vibrant and lively atmosphere, calling it “admirable”, reports Arkeonews.

Throughout its history, Durrës has been a vital port city, connecting various parts of the Roman and Byzantine Empires. The city faced numerous challenges, including devastating earthquakes and invasions.

Mosaic detail of the Roman indoor pool (Albania’s National Institute of Cultural Heritage / Facebook)

It later fell under Venetian and then Ottoman rule for several centuries, but throughout its turbulent history it remained an important and enduring center. Durrës is home to many historical sites, such as a large Roman amphitheater built in the 2nd century AD, the Venetian Tower, and the remains of the Byzantine Forum.

While the archaeologists in Durrës are accustomed to unearthing Roman remnants, their latest find has astonished even the most seasoned experts.

Archaeological excavations will continue at the "Gjergj Kastrioti, Durres" school site, and it is hoped that more treasures will be unearthed, providing a unique glimpse into the urban structure of a neighborhood inhabited by the elite of Roman society.

Top image: An archaeologist uncovers the indoor pool in the Roman villa, the first such find in the area. Source: Albania’s National Institute of Cultural Heritage / Facebook.

By Sahir Pandey