The setifian roman basins: from identification to heritage urbanity

Abstract

It was by serendipity, during a survey aimed at determining the course of an underground source by employees of the municipality of Sétif in 1907, that the beautiful monument was discovered at a depth of three meters of the “Roman basins” of Sétif (Algeria)[1]. The architecture of this site caught the attention of both elected officials and the public, and led to considering its conservation. Located in the Rafaoui garden (former Barral garden)[2], it represents one of the most beautifully preserved open-air monuments in this city. However, it remains a subject of controversy as to its "origin"[3]. The present work seeks to weave a portrait of the model, which will provide us with the arguments necessary for its "identification", and thus brought a correction on its name, and at the same time justify the action of a support for its conservation[4].

[1]  This source feeds the two main and famous fountains of this city (Ain Fouara & Ain Droudj), located in a part known for its wealth of Roman remains. (Elizabeth Fenteress, Paul-Albert Février, Anissa Mohamedi, 1984).

[2] Since this discovery, the site has been laid out as an "open-air museum garden", displaying this unearthed archaeological treasure.

[3] Improperly called nowadays "Roman baths", instead of "nymphs", and this is what we are going to dismantle.

[4] In our situation, the question of heritage is no longer posed only in terms of preservation, but also in terms of integration into the changing urban environment, which is another form of "valorisation".