The Baños de la Reina site has reopened its doors to the public after the adaptation works that have been carried out over the last few months and which have led to its musealisation. The Department of Culture has organised a total of eight days of guided tours during the month of December, with three shifts each day. The visits are scheduled for 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27 and 28 December at 10:30, 11:30 and 12:30.
To participate in these visits, coordinated by the archaeologist Alicia Luján, it is necessary to register at the Tourist Offices, by email turismo@ajcalp.es or by calling 96 583 69 20 and 96 583 85 32.
The work to adapt the site means that this enclave, one of the most important archaeological sites in its category in Roman Hispania, will be open to the public on a regular basis.
The work carried out corresponds to the initial actions foreseen in phase A of the Master Plan for this archaeological site, drawn up by the Diputación de Alicante, which has financed the work with 439,388.69 euros.
Visitors will be able to walk along the wooden walkways that set two itineraries that allow them to see the main archaeological sites: on the one hand, the Domus rotunda with its baths and circular mosaic (4th century) and on the other, the hydraulic complex with the waterwheel and a series of villas (2nd century A.D.).
In addition, remains of the site have been re-excavated and consolidated, which for the first time will be included in public visits and which are thought to correspond to a possible industrial structure due to their rustic construction and their proximity to the waterwheel and hydraulic complex.
In addition, safety measures have been implemented at the site, such as the installation of a horizontal sliding roof over the area of descent to the hydraulic complex, which until now was unprotected, and a wooden structure with nets covering the turning area of the waterwheel to prevent possible falls. The damaged walls and structures have also been consolidated and gravel of different shades has been laid to allow visual identification of the areas intervened, which will facilitate their interpretation.
The work has also involved the installation of a new fence on Avenida de Europa, which will become the new access for visitors, as well as the repair and replacement of the existing damaged fencing on the rest of the boundaries and on the Paseo Marítimo façade.
The Councillor of Culture, Guillermo Sendra, has pointed out that ‘for the first time, the site of Banys de la Reina can be opened to the public as it should be, with all the protection measures, a first step to put in value as it deserves this treasure we have in Calp’.