Destination Spain, our DMC partner shares an incredible place to visit: Hedionda Roman Baths, Casares (Unique Site and Hydraulic heritage)!
It is said that here was where the Devil exhaled his last breath when he was expelled by St. James. This is one of the legends that the popular imagery has collected to justify the smell of sulphur in its waters. The Baños de la Hedionda, Bien de Interés Cultural [Heritage of Cultural Interest], constitutes one of the historical landmarks of the massif of la Utrera and of the entire Casares in general.
They are sulphurous and ferruginous baths situated in a delightful and advantageous setting which man has known how to make the best of since Roman times. The square building of the spa has a circular dome with pedentives and two other barrel vaults, and is found by the right river bank of the Albarrán stream and near the border with the municipality of Manilva. This spa is inside a squared closed space with 6 m long sides, one sphere vault and two barrel vaults. Water goes through the whole area: there are Roman baths, renovated by Arabs, with water that is rich in sulphur and iron.
Arabs changed the framework of the baths due to changes in the water flow. They broadened their walls and took the pipes to the surface. The baths are on the right side of the Albarrán Stream. The materials that were used during the building are whitewash, concrete, stones and double or triple solid brick rows. The legend says it was built by Julius Caesar when he was serving as a praetor. Trying to relieve a herpetic illness in these waters, he ordered the construction of the baths. His troops certainly had a bath there while they were waiting to confront Pompey’s army and realized it could heel skin diseases. The baths area has been proclaimed Heritage Site of Cultural Interest. However, the mild temperatures of September and October are ideal, especially if you want to care for your skin and hair with the clay from its spring and let the mud dry in the sun. This technique is highly recommended by the locals in the area, providing you with naturally nourished hair and removing impurities from your skin. Many local stories explain the origin of the thermal baths of La Hedionda. The best-known legend dates back to the 1st century BC. when the Caesarian troops, waiting for the confrontation that would take place against Pompey’s army, were camped near a spring of turquoise water.
Many of Caesar’s army suffered from scabies, an infection with no cure or any way to alleviate it. This discomfort prevented them from fighting until they took a bath in the waters of the spring, and their itching decreased. The healing power of these waters was this impressing that Julius Caesar ordered the construction of these hot springs. Regardless of the historical rigour of the legend, the thermal baths of La Hedionda are a small treasure in Málaga. A place in which nature, history and health come together, creating the perfect oasis of relaxation to disconnect this autumn that is not to be missed!
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