Basilica Therma, also known as “Kral Kızı Hamamı” (King's Daughter Bath), is a Roman public bath located in Sarıkaya district of Yozgat Province, Turkey. Built in the 2nd century AD, the bathhouse still maintains its geothermal activity today. It is considered a unique example among Roman baths in Anatolia due to its architectural features. The French traveler Chantre was the first to document the site between 1893 and 1894. Later, Dr. Von der Osten mentioned the ruins during his excavations at Alişar between 1927 and 1932. The first formal archaeological excavation at the site was carried out in 1932 by Richard C. Haines. In 1987, the structure was registered as an immovable cultural property. Excavation and cleaning works were initiated by the Yozgat Museum Directorate in 2010. In 2013, the area was officially declared a protected archaeological site, and expropriation procedures were undertaken. The bath is first mentioned in the 2nd-century Atlas of Ptolemy under the ancient Greek name “Σαρούηνα” (Sarouena). Basilica Therma was constructed in the 2nd century AD on the Bozok Plateau of the Cappadocia Province, in the deepest part of a large valley at an altitude of 1170 meters above sea level, directly over a thermal spring. It was situated along the road connecting Kamuliana, Euaissa, and Sibora through Kayseri. Nearby ancient cities included Tavium, Sebastopolis, and Rumdigin. In the 4th century, with the banning of paganism and the spread of Christianity in Anatolia, a church was added to the northern part of the bath complex. The town later became a bishopric center and retained this status until 451 AD. During this period, a marble baptismal font with a carved cross was placed in the middle of the large pool. Pagans were baptized on this stone and introduced to Christianity. Due to this feature, the bath held sacred significance for early Christians. Today, three pools, a staircase descending to a small pool, a series of arches, two apse walls, and surrounding wall remnants remain from the original bath complex. Due to the gradual rise of surrounding ground levels and roads, the bath is now partially submerged and lies several meters below the surface. Only the foundations and very low wall fragments remain from the adjacent church and other nearby structures. In 2018, Basilica Therma was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.
