HOW I BECAME THE NAKED FIREFIGHTER OF BANDE

Deep in the woods of a beautiful Forrest that lays in a valley, connecting to a huge lake that floods the are each year in the winter month’s only to unravel a secret during spring and summer when it dries up. A secret of history that – even though – did not survive the past of time, still has a profound impact on the local communities of Galicia, in the northwest of Spain.

When it is time for the Lake to take a well deserved Holliday to wherever land, the underlying secrets begin to reveal itself. Rooted in the mud and leftovers from the passing seasons lies a still partially intact and excavated Roman ruined City.
It is called; “The Roman Caldaria of Bande, Aquis Querquennis”.
This site holds a profound Historical significance to the Romans who lived here during the 1st Century. It was in fact a fort and hospital for the workers that build a Road called; The Via Nova, which connected – now called – Braga with Astorga. (Some 330 Kilometers)

The ancient Roman bath have been restored maintained and put to use for the local communities to use freely. “Yes! I said it! Free!”

A BATH OF OF EVERLASTING YOUTH

This Fort is not the only secret it holds…
For when you are done sightseeing the ancient Ruins and structures you will come across a structure – I can guarantee – you will never forget. Another word for a special kind of room to take bath’s and cold plunges is called; “Caldarium” and this, my friends. Is still operational.

You see… The ancient Roman bath have been restored maintained and put to use for the local communities to use freely. “Yes! I said it! Free!” These bath’s have special properties because of the alleges that grow on the bottom of the big slab stones that make the Roman Caldarium of Bande so unique. There are 3 main basins to choose from, 5 Bath’s in total and a set of small one person stone tub’s.
The connected river that flows to the lake, brings the water that has been heated through the volcanic earth, to these bath’s. You can regulate the temperature by blocking the flow of river with rocks. The hottest one is 54 degrees so be careful, or you will be next on the menu.

Here is what you can find at the Caldarium of Bande

• 3 Main Basins that hold each their own structure and temperature.
• These basins have each a set of Bath’s, blocked off by stones and stairs.
• A set of small tubs fitted for one person and a way to regulate temperature with rocks.
• A big grass open field that connects the basins with slippery and broken stones and tiles still from the Roman times
• A parking place for Vans and Cars, directly facing the Lake
• A Huge Lake in front of the Hills that reveals a ruined Roman Fort
• With Forrest on either side to wander off to and dream about past times in history.

An Unexpected adventure begins

When you drive towards Bande and to the Caladium. There is not a clear entrance sign except on the moment that you missed it. You see, in order to get there, one must make a ridiculous sudden turn on a small side road that goes down in an angle so steep one might feel like a ride in an amusement park. One might also stipulate that each person with a vehicle, should reflect oneself if they are able to get out of the place once the adventure is at an end. It is that steep.

On the bottom of the steep road is the small parking. Surrounded by trees – that one should avoid – and on an unpaved area are multiple spots to put ones car. Besides that, people have often parked outside the area under nearby trees, to make a more suitable campground. There were as many different vehicles as there were people with different background stories. Some were a couple with kids in A Van with pets, living In it full time. Others were more local and were on a family vacation by stuffing every family member and their belongings in a way to small car. To unload their adventure under loud local radio music blasting from their car’s barely surviving speakers.

All in all it is variety that one might expect. Locals, tourists, vagabonds, hippies, musicians, grannies that acted as Roman philosophers, children, pets and everything in between.

Upon Arrival, there were a number of cars parked on either side of me. One of them a small Connect Minivan. With a guy who makes art, stickers and merchandise from a company in Madrid.
On the other side was a truck with friends of mine that I met on another adventure “Read: ECOHEALING IN PORTUGAL WHILE BARLEY ALIVE.
We shared breakfast, stories and remenissed about memories. We planned our futures, knowing full well that life might bring us all elsewhere.

On the parking was a group of people, camping outside their Van. Little did I know, our path would soon be intertwined forever.

One of the Highlights of this first encounter was that the guy with the Courier Van asked me to paint his Van. I made him something cool on the hood of his car. He had already painted something before but he wanted it fixed and to have his Logo there as well. It was an easy task and it made him very happy.
We talked for some time how we can intertwine our passions and be something for each other in our pursuit of traveling sustainable with our passion of Arts and Crafts.

It was Time for a Bath

Stepping out of my Skin and into my Birthday suit with nothing but a towel, I went to the Bath’s. It was maybe 200 meters away, maybe less. I removed my Towel stepped into the steam and sank into a beautiful sigh of relief while pretending I was a Roman Citizen from the past, living and enjoying as they would have lived.