Terme of Caracalla

The Baths of Caracalla were built in the 3rd century, during the reign of Emperor Caracalla, which determined their name. It was a complex of the largest, monumental buildings of antiquity. The walls of the baths were made of concrete and covered with thin marble plates, which gave the buildings an apparent lightness.

A little history

On the territory of ancient Rome there were many public baths, designed for different material levels of residents. The entire city was crossed by multi-tiered arcades that supplied them with water. Looking at the preserved ruins, the mysterious landscape hills that became the heritage of ancient culture, one can be surprised and feel their unusual past rather than enjoy the standard architectural beauty.

In this place on the southern slope of the Aventine Hill, near the beginning of the Appian Way, there were the famous Baths of Caracalla. This is a grandiose complex of buildings, striking in its size, purpose, and luxurious decoration

Detailed description

The Baths of Caracalla complex included 64 rooms with unusual windows. Their lighting was interesting: rays of light penetrated the rooms through special openings in the dome. The semicircular windows of the main building contained interesting plates of translucent natural stone. Light with an amazing golden hue penetrated through them. The polished marble on the walls seemed to radiate a warm, golden light. Niches were made among the high columns of the baths. They contained statues of famous figures Hercules and Flora. The Farnese Bull sculptural ensemble was also located here.

Archaeologists have found evidence that during the heyday of the baths, the main room was often used as an exhibition area. It was occupied by exhibits from the famous museums of Naples and the Vatican. Since the 5th century, the Baths of Caracalla have been included in the lists of wonders of Rome. Water for the thermal baths was supplied in a special way. It flowed from the Aqua Marcia source to a special system, was heated and distributed throughout the entire volume of the buildings. The structure of the Baths of Caracalla contained zones located in a strict sequence:

• Apodytherium or locker room.
• Frigidarium is a cold zone. It was a huge reservoir (58x28 m), filled with cold water. Its mandatory replacement was carried out twice a day. The walls of the room were decorated with beautiful mosaics and lined with marble slabs.
• Tepidarium - a warm bath for gradual warming up. On both sides there were special rooms (semicircular squadrons) for gymnastics schools. Famous figures of athletes were found on their floors. Fragments of rare mosaics are kept in the Lateran Palace.
• Caldarium - hot bath. This is a rotunda (diameter 35 m) with a dome. Around it there were small niches for private washing. There were seating areas nearby.
• Sudatorium - steam room with T85 °C.
• Lavarium - a room for pouring water, applying aromatic oils, taking baths.

Importance for the people

The Baths of Caracalla are not just baths, but structures that reflect the way of life of the Romans. They contained clubs, stadiums, a cultural center, and a garden, where visitors of different cultural backgrounds rested, had fun, and engaged in activities in accordance with their needs. You could just sit with friends among the unique sculptures, mosaic paintings on the floor and walls. Each subsequent emperor sought to outshine the previous masterpieces with their artistic decoration. And they accumulated, enriching the internal and external interior of the ensemble.

Of particular interest was the inspection of the competitions of gymnasts and various athletes, which were held from the windows of the bathhouses overlooking the stadium and the amphitheater. By the way, at the 1960 Summer Olympics, gymnast competitions were held in the ancient stadium in the prepared ruins of thermae. The rules for visiting the baths were constantly changing. In the initial period, men visited the halls completely naked, women protected their hair and pearl jewelry. With the growing greatness of the Roman Empire, carnal pleasures and entertainment in the baths were increasingly welcomed, which turned into a zone of unacceptable orgies and debauchery.

The Baths of Caracalla operated from 217 to 537, but people and nature destroyed the unique ensemble of antiquity. Research in their place has shown that a different world in the thermal baths was also created by holding concerts. Their traditions have continued now, when venues for pop and opera performers have been created on the ancient territory. The unique theater operates in the open air and the production of the opera “Aida” by Giuseppe Verdi against the backdrop of ancient, real scenery continues to attract numerous visitors. There is also an interesting thematic museum underground.

Despite the fact that it has long been impossible to sit in a luxurious bathhouse, after visiting ancient ruins a person leaves renewed, rested, with a supply of new strength that has come from distant historical times. Address: Via delle Terme di Caracalla, 52. Just arrive by metro or bus 118, 160, 714, 628.