Rich in active gases or metals — a strong mineral character.
Buoyancy
Standard buoyancy
LowHigh
Soft water — natural, classic buoyancy.
SoufreSulfuresSulfates
Along the route of the ancient Via de la Plata, in the province of Cáceres in Extremadura, the Balneario de Baños de Montemayor stands on the site of Roman baths confirmed by excavations carried out in 1894, which uncovered underground remains along with votive offerings and Latin inscriptions. The Romans built baths here under the name Aquae Caprense, drawing on sulphurous springs already known before their arrival.
What survives today is a circular space about eight metres in diameter, covered by a hemispherical vault with overhead lighting — one of the best-preserved Roman thermal remains in the region. The site was declared a cultural heritage landmark in 1995, cementing its historical significance.
Insider tip — Balneario de Baños de Montemayor commands a dramatic position in the Puerto de Béjar mountain pass, where the Roman Via de la Plata once crossed the Sistema Central and legions bathed in the same sulfurous springs still flowing today. Waters emerge at around 50°C and have been channeled into formal balneario facilities since the 18th century, renowned for respiratory and rheumatic treatments. The stone village surrounding the balneario preserves its spa-town atmosphere with granite architecture and chestnut forests dropping steeply into the valley below.
