{"id":9591,"date":"2022-01-28T15:38:51","date_gmt":"2022-01-28T15:38:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ulysses.travel\/baths-of-diocletian-rome\/"},"modified":"2024-09-05T12:23:20","modified_gmt":"2024-09-05T12:23:20","slug":"baths-of-diocletian-rome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ulysses.travel\/en\/baths-of-diocletian-rome\/","title":{"rendered":"The Baths of Diocletian in Rome"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Once the largest thermal complex of ancient Rome, the Baths of Diocletian have stood the test of time, with much of their structure still impressively intact.<\/em><\/p>\n\n

Today, they house the Museum of the Baths of Diocletian\u2014one of four sites of the National Roman Museum\u2014along with the stunning Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri. <\/em><\/p>\n\n

Though lesser-known compared to other ancient landmarks in Rome, the Baths of Diocletian are definitely worth a visit if you’re spending some time in the Eternal City.<\/em><\/p>\n\n

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Good to know:<\/strong> Entry to the Baths of Diocletian is discounted with the Roma Pass<\/a><\/strong>, which also includes skip-the-line access to numerous monuments in the city<\/strong>, along with unlimited access to public transport<\/strong>. It\u2019s a great way to avoid wasting time in long queues! <\/p>\n\n

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Insider<\/strong> Tips<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Top tip:<\/strong> Free guided city tour<\/a> (in English)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accommodations:<\/strong> all our tips recommendations <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plan your stay:<\/strong> the complete guide to Rome<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visiting Rome with children:<\/strong> all our tips<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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A Brief History of the Baths of Diocletian<\/h2>\n\n

The Origins of the Baths of Diocletian<\/h3>\n\n

The Baths of Diocletian were constructed between 298 and 305 AD, during the reign of co-emperor Maximian Herculeus, who governed the western part of the empire while Diocletian ruled the east.<\/p>\n\n

Modeled after the Baths of Caracalla but twice their size, the Baths of Diocletian spanned a colossal 14 hectares \/ 35 acres, making them the largest thermal complex ever built in ancient Rome.<\/p>\n\n

As with other Roman baths, they featured a caldarium<\/em> (hot bath), tepidarium<\/em> (warm bath), frigidarium<\/em> (cold bath), and natatio<\/em> (swimming pool), along with a library and expansive gardens. Water was supplied by one of the many aqueducts in the city.<\/p>\n\n

\"Baths<\/figure>\n\n

The Decline of the Baths of Diocletian<\/h3>\n\n

The Baths of Diocletian remained active for over three centuries. In the 6th<\/sup> century AD, the invading Goths cut off Rome\u2019s aqueducts, leading to the abandonment of the city\u2019s baths.<\/p>\n\n

Like many ancient sites, the baths were later repurposed as a quarry, with materials taken for new constructions.<\/p>\n\n

The Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri<\/h3>\n\n

In the 16th<\/sup> century, Pope Pius IV commissioned Michelangelo to transform part of the old baths into a basilica.<\/p>\n\n

Dedicated to the Christian martyrs who were said to have worked on the baths’ construction 12 centuries earlier, the basilica occupies the former frigidarium<\/em>, tepidarium<\/em>, and natatio<\/em> of the thermal complex.<\/p>\n\n

The Baths of Diocletian and the National Roman Museum<\/h3>\n\n

In 1899, the National Roman Museum was established within the Baths of Diocletian, bringing together ancient Roman sculptures and artifacts unearthed in Rome and its surroundings.<\/p>\n\n

As the collection grew, <\/p>\n\n

the museum expanded into four distinct sites: the Baths of Diocletian, Palazzo Altemps<\/a>, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, and the Crypta Balbi.<\/p>\n\n

\"Baths<\/figure>\n\n
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Fun fact about Termini Station<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The water used in the Baths of Diocletian was stored in a large reservoir known as the “Botte di Termini<\/em>.” In the late 19th<\/sup> century, this reservoir was destroyed to make way for the construction of Rome\u2019s famous Termini train station, which was named after it!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

Visiting the Baths of Diocletian<\/h2>\n\n

Today, the Baths of Diocletian consist of two main attractions:<\/p>\n\n