LOCATION FILE
Hammam Maskhoutine — the bath of the damned
FOLLOWHammam Debagh (Guelma), Guelma
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OVERVIEW
Hammam Maskhoutine — Arabic for 'bath of the damned' — is a thermal complex at Hammam Debagh in Guelma Province, north-east Algeria: ten hot springs in one valley, up to 97–98 °C (hot enough to boil eggs in the outflow), flowing at 1,650 litres a second. Their iron- and calcium-carbonate-laden water has built multicoloured travertine walls, a great cascade and many cone-shaped formations.
HISTORY
The Romans called the town Aquae Thiblitanae and built baths there that can still be used. Under French rule a colonist mayor, Jean Sadeler, found the springs' underground lake in 1883. The waters are taken for rheumatism and arthritis.
REPORTED ACTIVITY
The name comes from a local legend: a man married his sister, and as the wedding procession, with the incestuous couple, moved up the valley, a curse darkened the sky and the whole party was struck by lightning and turned to stone. The billowing shapes of the springs are said to be the frozen wedding party in their celebration robes. Recorded as a legend.
VISITING
A working spa; the Roman baths at the spring are still in use.
SITE PLAN
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