Exhibition Bene Lava

Roman bathing culture: pleasure and discomfort?

Immerse yourself in the bathing culture of the Roman Empire. When people think of the Romans, they often picture emperors, gladiators, and lavish banquets. But there is something else that was inseparably linked to Roman life: the bathhouses. Large, impressive complexes filled with mosaics, frescoes, marble statues, and gently flowing fountains. At first glance, they seem like a world of luxury and relaxation.

Yet that is not the whole story. Was the bathhouse equally pleasant for everyone? Who benefited from this bathing culture—and for whom was it less enjoyable? And how does Roman bathing actually differ from what we do in our bathrooms today?

In the exhibition Bene Lava, you will discover the world behind the marble and mosaics. Through replicas, sound fragments, eyewitness accounts, and interactive elements, you will explore the true meaning of bathing culture.

Was it mainly a source of pleasure and relaxation, or rather a place of discomfort and inequality? Come and find out for yourself—and draw your own conclusions.