Index
52
Centre de Restauració de Béns Mobles de Catalunya
INNOVATION & RESEARCH
RUDI RANESI
The conservation of the large southern baths in the villa WE ARE PRESENTING THE CONSERVATION-RESTORATION OF THE CLADDINGS AND ORNAMENTAL DECORATIONS conserved in 11 areas in the southern baths in the Roman villa of Els Munts. The conservation-restoration treatment was envisaged as part of the overall restoration of the southern bath complex, planned for subsequent phases. This complex is located in the far southwest of the Roman villa site in Els Munts, and it is the most significant bath side from the high-imperial Roman era on the Iberian Peninsula. The main entrance is the porticoed ambulacrum which connected the lower baths to the domus, around which the residential zone of the villa was arranged. The spaces conserve numerous architectural structures corresponding to the walls enclosing the spaces and the pools comprising the route
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Overview of the natatorium pool and the frigidarium after the treatment. Photo: Verònica Moragas
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RESCAT
through the baths, distinguishing between the warm and cool zones. Remains of elements that used to hold up the roof are also conserved, as well as stairs, conduits, water fountains, sewers, ovens and hypocausts. The decorative cladding which used to cover the surfaces of the walls and pavements are conserved in situ in a rather fragmentary fashion, but they hint at the sumptuousness and decorative richness of the complex. What primarily stands out on the walls is the remains of frescoed murals, as well as stone slabs from Alcover and marble veneers in different colours (which come from quarries all over the empire). On the floor, the remains of pavements with fired ceramic flooring are conserved, along with some remains of polychrome mosaics in opus tessellatum and extremely high-quality hydraulic claddings.
