Xemxija Roman Baths
The Xemxija Roman Baths are the remains of a small but significant Roman bath complex located near St. Paul’s Bay in the northern region of Malta. Dating to the 1st–2nd century AD, during the height of Roman rule over the Maltese Islands, the baths formed part of a larger Roman villa or maritime estate overlooking the bay. Their coastal position suggests that the complex belonged to a prosperous Roman landowner who benefited from both agricultural activity and maritime trade.
The surviving structures reveal key features typical of Roman bathing culture, including sections believed to have served as the caldarium (hot room), tepidarium (warm room), and frigidarium (cold room). Remnants of hypocaust heating systems — the ingenious underfloor heating method used by the Romans — can still be identified, demonstrating the advanced engineering skills present on the island during antiquity. The site also includes water channels, cisterns, and traces of mosaic flooring, reflecting the comfort and sophistication associated with Roman domestic life.
Although partially damaged over time by later construction and environmental factors, the Xemxija Roman Baths remain an important testament to Malta’s integration into the Roman Empire after 218 BC. They provide valuable insight into daily life, leisure practices, and architectural techniques during Roman Melite. Today, the site stands as a quiet but evocative reminder of Malta’s classical heritage within the broader Mediterranean world.
