Roman Baths of Sliema in Sliema, Malta

The shoreline of much of the island of Malta is rather rocky, so it could be difficult or even dangerous to go swimming in many places. However, the shore of the urban area of Sliema (which is located just northwest of the nation’s capital, Valletta) features a series of pools cut into the rock with narrow channels or underwater channels connecting the pools to the sea.

Most of these pools are square in shape and are only a couple of meters wide, but some are a bit larger or have rounded walls. These pools are called Roman Baths, but they have nothing to do with the Romans. Instead, they appear to have their origins in the late 19th century, when Malta was a colony of the United Kingdom.

At the time, seaside bathing was becoming fashionable among upper-class individuals.  Although the details are unclear, it seems like some wealthy Victorian people with nearby residences had pools carved out of the limestone rock for their personal use. The pools were relatively shallow to make them safe for swimming, and steps were often carved into one side so that people could climb in and out easily. As a heavy emphasis was placed on not revealing the human figure (especially the female figure) at the time, the pools were originally covered with blankets or wooden structures for privacy.

Over time, however, the superstructures over the pools were dismantled, and members of the general public were allowed to use the pools.  Today, the Roman baths are a quirky yet popular feature of the Sliema coastline and are still used by locals who want a quick dip in the ocean.