Roman Baths of Germisara
About Roman Baths of Germisara
In the middle of the spa resort of Geoagiu-Băi rises a round travertine mound, about 100 m across, which locals call "Dâmbul Romanilor" (the Romans' Mound). At its heart, a thermal spring filled a natural cavity. The layers studied by archaeologists show that the Dacians were already using the spring before the conquest; the name Germisara is usually traced to a Dacian word for "hot water". The Romans enlarged the pool, dug channels and carried the water through terracotta pipes to other pools.
The site was both a spa and a sanctuary. The natural pool was the centre of the cult, and around it were found altars, a marble statue of Diana, statues of Aesculapius and Hygieia and a Latin verse inscription dedicated to the nymphs, guardians of the springs. The best-known find is the set of gold votive plaques brought to light in the excavations of the 1980s: seven are in the Museum of Dacian and Roman Civilisation in Deva, one in the National Museum of the Union in Alba Iulia. They were offerings left by people who had been cured by the thermal water.
Since 2024, the Roman baths of Germisara and the Roman road at Geoagiu have been components of the UNESCO site "Frontiers of the Roman Empire – Dacia". The fort on Urieșilor Hill at Cigmău, a few kilometres away, belongs to the same complex and is visited separately.
What you can see
From a viewpoint on the edge of the mound you look down on the rounded pool, filled with clear water and surrounded by side benches and travertine walls with niches and rooms cut into the rock. You can go down to the pool by steps carved in the stone or through an access tunnel opened at the base of the mound. On top you can see the foundations of the bathing rooms and the channels that carried the water, now deep grooves in the rock.
Good to know
At the end of the 1980s the floor of the crater was concreted, so today's pool only partly resembles the ancient one. The site is open and unsupervised; over the years the local press has reported vandalism and litter, and recent visitor accounts describe it in different ways, from well kept to neglected. No restoration project has been announced for 2025–2026.
Information verified on 21 October 2026.
- The rounded sacred pool, seen from above from the viewpoint on the edge of the mound.
- The steps and the tunnel that lead down to the edge of the pool.
- The niches and bathing rooms cut into the travertine walls.
- The rock-cut grooves through which the Romans channelled the thermal water.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: from Orăștie it takes about 25 minutes (18 km), on the DN7 and then the DJ705G; from the A1 motorway, take the exit for Geoagiu, and from the town of Geoagiu it is about 5 km further, on the DJ705 and the road to the resort. Deva is about 35 km away (45 minutes), and Alba Iulia about 50 km, on the A1. The baths are in the centre of the resort, on Strada Germisara, west of the thermal lido; from next to the lido entrance, a paved path of about 120 m leads to the gate of the site.
Public transport: the nearest railway station is at Orăștie, on the Simeria–Alba Iulia line; from there you need a bus or a taxi to the resort.
- Where to park
Parking spaces in the resort, on the streets around the lido; in the summer season (May–September) parking in the resort is paid. Hotels in the area have their own car parks for guests.
- Fees & discounts
Free entry; there is no ticket office or published fee.
- Rules
A historic monument protected by law: do not write on or scratch the travertine walls, do not take stones or objects, do not throw anything into the pool. The ancient pool is not a designated bathing place. The steps can be wet and slippery: wear shoes with a good grip and take care with children.
- Facilities
No toilets at the site · restaurants, hotels and lido in the resort · steps, not wheelchair accessible
Frequently asked questions about Roman Baths of Germisara
- How much is a ticket to Roman Baths of Germisara?
- Admission to Roman Baths of Germisara is free (unsupervised site). Free entry; there is no ticket office or published fee.
- What are the opening hours of Roman Baths of Germisara?
- Opening hours at Roman Baths of Germisara: daily open 24 hours. Free, permanent and unsupervised access; no official schedule is published. A daytime visit makes sense, as the steps and the tunnel are not lit.
- How long does a visit to Roman Baths of Germisara take?
- A visit to Roman Baths of Germisara takes about 30 min (estimate; pool and viewpoint).
- Can you visit Roman Baths of Germisara with kids?
- Yes, Roman Baths of Germisara is suitable for children (steep stone steps).
- Where can I park at Roman Baths of Germisara?
- There is paid parking at Roman Baths of Germisara (in the resort, paid in summer). Parking spaces in the resort, on the streets around the lido; in the summer season (May–September) parking in the resort is paid. Hotels in the area have their own car parks for guests.
- How do I get to Roman Baths of Germisara?
- Roman Baths of Germisara is located at Strada Germisara, next to the thermal lido, Geoagiu-Băi, Hunedoara County. By car: from Orăștie it takes about 25 minutes (18 km), on the DN7 and then the DJ705G; from the A1 motorway, take the exit for Geoagiu, and from the town of Geoagiu it is about 5 km further, on the DJ705 and the road to the resort. Deva is about 35 km away (45 minutes), and Alba Iulia about 50 km, on the A1. The baths are in the centre of the resort, on Strada Germisara, west of the thermal lido; from next to the lido entrance, a paved path of about 120 m leads to the gate of the site. Public transport: the nearest railway station is at Orăștie, on the Simeria–Alba Iulia line; from there you need a bus or a taxi to the resort.
- When is the best time to visit Roman Baths of Germisara?
- The best season for Roman Baths of Germisara: April – October (pairs with the lido in summer).
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