What is "bagnaccio"

Bagnaccio is the name of the ancient thermal baths still in use 8 km northwest of Viterbo, in the Lazio region of Italy. It is also known as 'La città termale' aka the Thermal City because of its natural hot thermal springs, or the City of the Popes 'La città dei Papi' because the popes were based here in the Middle Ages.

The Bagnaccio baths are located directly on what was the ancient via Cassia on the road to Montefiascone while the via Cassia now runs about 1 km east of the baths. The site was and is still marked by the ancient Roman ruins of Baccucco, a small baths complex on the same narrow unpaved road 'strada bianca' and these baths were recorded in designs by Michelangelo (Lille). Regular bathers at Bagnaccio pay dues of 12 to 18 euros to keep the pools clean, although this is not required.