The most important group of remains, the Gymnasium and Baths, has direct access from the car park, a few hundred yards south of the Tourist Pavilion. Its most spectacular feature is what is commonly known as the 'Marble Forum', the great Palaestra surrounded by four porticoes, which was the exercise ground for the athletes. Its principal allied buildings are to the south-east and contiguous. They are of great interest, as well as being of a complexity which is best resolved by reference to the plan, and by following the prescribed route in the official guide which begins by way of steps into the South Portico.
The existence of a Hellenistic gymnasium on the same site is documented by several inscriptions, the most important being a dedication to Ptolemy V Epiphanes (205-180 B.C.) which is set into a step between two columns at the entrance to the South.
The Palaestra belongs mainly to the period of rebuilding by Constantine II. The columns when first discovered were fallen (in fact all over the site there is evidence of violent upheaval) and they were re-erected between 1952 and 1955. The most important statuary from the site has been transferred to the Cyprus Museum in Nicosia, but a collection has been assembled in the North Annexe. Perhaps the most appealing statue is a draped figure in dark marble, believed to represent the mournful Persephone. Her face, hands and feet, which were of inset white marble, are missing. Work is continuing on the excavation of rooms behind the south and north porticoes of the Palaestra. These were destroyed in the fourth century A.D., but partly reconstructed as public baths at a later date. Of particular interest is the semicircular set of latrines at the south west corner of the Palaestra. These provide stone seating for forty-four persons facing a colonnade, complete with drainage and water system.
The main buildings adjacent to the East Portico have a facade about 12 ft thick. This has withstood the earthquakes which shattered so much else. The large North Hall at the north-east corner of the group of buildings has walls of corresponding thickness and an apsidal east end, both of which have only partly survived.
Many of the buildings, including baths for use of the athletes, which form a complex series at this end of the site, show traces of Roman methods of construction. Excavation work proceeds here and elsewhere in Salamis, and the discovery of mosaics has added to the architectural and functional interest attached to this complex of buildings. In a niche in the South Hall, which functioned as a sudatorium, may be seen a representation of the River God Evrotas alongside an upturned jar from which water flows, and presided over by Zeus in the form of a swan. Another niche contains detail of a picture of Apollo and Artemis in conflict with the Niobids. The mosaics are late Roman in style, and probably form part of a scheme of decoration of the early fourth century. A similar recess in the North Hall also shows mosaic work, but in fragmentary condition.
At present the Gymnasium and Baths are the most northerly of the ancient monuments on the site, though at any time this statement may become incorrect, as it is reasonable to believe that an almost unlimited amount of exciting things will come to light and be fully investigated in the future. Neither the compilers of the official leaflet nor the author of this guide can hope to keep their printed matter up to date with discoveries on a site which is so extensive in both area and time. Be that as it may, for the present this forms a turning-point, or else a stopping place for refreshment in the Tourist Pavilion and time off by the sea.
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