The Forum Baths (Terme del Foro) are the largest and longest-lasting thermal complex in Ostia Antica. Built starting in the Hadrianic period near the forum, they represent one of many aspects of the urban renewal that began during Emperor Hadrian’s reign (117–134 CE), focused around the forum square and the Capitolium. The baths underwent various restorations lasting until as late as the 5th century CE.
The palaestra of the Forum Baths was an open-air space located immediately south of the hot-water rooms of the baths. Shaped roughly like a trapezoid, it was less of a true gymnasium and more of a porticoed courtyard open to the surrounding streets and enclosed by buildings of different types, including a guild headquarters and shops. A marble-columned portico ran along three sides of the palaestra, while the fourth side was defined by the bath complex itself.
In the southeast corner of the palaestra, between the portico and the cardo maximus (main north-south street), there was a triangular public latrine accessible from both the palaestra’s portico and the street portico. Inside the palaestra, there was also a small temple.