Among the pines and cedars of the Aurès, a Roman bath nearly 2,000 years old - Hammam Essalihine - continues to welcome visitors. Its hot water, rich in minerals, and its two pools - one circular and the other rectangular - tell a unique story of continuity. Hammam Essalihine (Arabic for "the bath of the righteous"), known in Roman times as Aquae Flavianae, is located in the district of El Hamma, province of Khenchela, Algeria. Most of the bibliography places its origin or reconstruction in times of the Flavian dynasty (69-96 A.D.), which harmonizes with inscriptions cited by secondary sources and with the local tradition about its Roman exploitation.
The site is located in the Aurés mountains, a wooded and cool environment that contrasts with the temperature of the water. The location - just a few kilometers from the town of Khenchela - means that the complex continues to be integrated into the daily life of the region: families, the elderly and travelers share the waters as they did centuries ago. Continuity of use is one of its most cited features and, although it is not the only active historical bath in the world, Essalihine stands out for maintaining its Roman layout and public function.
