The site served as a vital station for the Roman army stationed at the nearby Aquis Querquennis fort to protect the Via Nova.
The thermal waters are classified as hyperthermal, meaning they emerge at temperatures significantly higher than the average annual air temperature.
The Aquis Querquennis complex is one of the best-preserved examples of a Roman military barracks in the Iberian Peninsula.
The nearby Roman road, Via Nova, linked the Roman cities of Bracara Augusta (Braga) and Asturica Augusta (Astorga).
The pools are fed by natural mineral-medicinal springs that have been utilized since the Roman occupation of Gallaecia.
The Roman Caldaria of Bande, known locally as Aquis Querquennis, consists of open-air thermal pools situated on the shores of the As Conchas reservoir in Ourense, Spain. These pools are located directly adjacent to the remnants of a 1st-century Roman military camp (Aquis Querquennis) and a Roman road (Via XVIII or Via Nova). The thermal water emerges from the ground at temperatures typically ranging between 40°C and 48°C. Visitors can bathe in the pools while overlooking the water of the reservoir. The site is a rare example of a functional Roman-era thermal bath complex integrated into an archaeological excavation zone. The pools are constructed with stone basins that mimic the layout of ancient Roman structures. During periods of high reservoir levels, parts of the site can occasionally be partially submerged or restricted. The site is maintained as a public, non-commercial facility with free access.
From the higher ground looking down at the pools with the reservoir and Roman ruins in the background.
Bring water shoes, as the stone basin floors can be slippery and uneven.
Visit during low reservoir water levels to ensure the maximum number of pools are accessible.
Carry a towel and robe, as there are no changing facilities or changing rooms on-site.
Avoid visiting after heavy rainfall if the reservoir level is high, as the pools may be flooded or inaccessible.
Public bathing etiquette applies; bring appropriate swimwear and observe quiet noise levels.
