The archaeological area in the street “Viale Stazione”, in the urban centre of Montegrotto Terme, conserves the remains of a monumental compound of Roman times, which includes a theatre, thermal baths and a “nymphaeum”.
The “cavea” of the theatre (E, which can be better seen from the street “Via degli Scavi”) has a diameter of 28 metres and hosts up to 11 rows of seats, that could be reached through three stairs, one central and two lateral ones. The area in front of the stage is semicircular; the proscenium is as large as the “cavea” and 5,5 metres deep. The “frons scaneae” is made of two rectangular and two semicircular niches alternated with three doors leading to a space about 40 metres large. On the top of the “cavea”, and on its very same axis, there was a big rectangular structure that has been interpreted either as a gallery for very important public or as a little temple. It is thought that, later on, the temple was transformed into a pool for water shows. Today most of the theatre is visible only in its foundations, since its seats and al the brick linings have gone lost.
The thermal baths include three tubs (A, B, C, which can better be seen from the street “Viale Stazione”). Tub A is about 30 metres long and it has been interpreted as tub for immersion in thermal waters. It has rectangular shape and it is contained within a rectangular building. Tub B is also about 30 metres long and has apses on both short sides and a rectangular niche on it eastern side. This tub was contained in a building and was linked to tub C through service rooms. Differently from the previous ones, tub C is round shaped and has a diameter of 9,40 metres. The discovery of external buttresses suggests that it had a doomed rooftop similar to the one that has been found in the location of Baia, near Naples. A loglines system provided the thermal baths with water and supported their discharge.
The “nymphaeum” (D) is rectangular-shaped with apse on one side. It has a fountain in the inner court and rooms on its southern side. The organization of its inside allowed to interpret this space as “nymphaeum”, that is a monumental fountain, with areas for studying and for relax.