One of the historical values of Side Museum City is the Port Bath. This ancient building was built in the third century (in the pre-Roman era) by order of the mayor of Side. At that time Turkey was a powerful and large prosperous state with developed trade. It wanted to exert economic and military influence on the foreign policy transformations of nascent Europe, and shipping was one of the most important means of doing so. Therefore, every port in the state was of paramount strategic importance. As a consequence, numerous significant and unique institutions were established in the ports.
An example of such an institution was the harbour bath of Side. It differs in many ways from the usual buildings in the city, because, above all, it was designed to attract visitors, as well as demonstrating all the development and strength of the state. According to ancient traditions, all new arrivals were first washed and only then allowed into the city.
As the name suggests, the bathhouse was located near the port, south of the city theatre building. The structure is rectangular in shape, with a length and width of 60 and 40 metres respectively. It contains four large halls parallel to each other and three smaller rooms. Under the marble floor covering of the bathhouse was the heating system.
Over the centuries, the bathhouse was repeatedly restored and rebuilt. Over time, two gymnastics salons were added to it, so that local residents could exercise here. Nowadays, the Port Bath is a ruin, with only ruined ancient stonework left in its place, but this does not detract from its historical value.
