{"id":9627,"date":"2022-01-31T17:42:22","date_gmt":"2022-01-31T17:42:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ulysses.travel\/baths-of-caracalla-rome\/"},"modified":"2024-09-11T13:09:57","modified_gmt":"2024-09-11T13:09:57","slug":"baths-of-caracalla-rome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ulysses.travel\/en\/baths-of-caracalla-rome\/","title":{"rendered":"The Baths of Caracalla in Rome"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Just steps away from the major ancient sites of Rome, the Baths of Caracalla are a vast thermal complex remarkably well-preserved, offering a fascinating glimpse into Roman life nearly 1800 years ago!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Follow the guide!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\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\n\n

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

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

While it\u2019s likely that the construction of the Baths of Caracalla was initiated by Emperor Septimius Severus, it was under the reign of his son, Caracalla, that the baths were built between 212 and 216 AD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To supply the baths with water, Caracalla ordered the construction of the Aqua Antoniniana<\/em>, a branch of the Aqua Marcia<\/em> aqueduct. The water was then stored in 64 cisterns, each with a capacity of 80,000 liters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The imposing outer walls of the baths were commissioned by Caracalla\u2019s successors: Elagabalus and Severus Alexander.
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At the time of their construction, the Baths of Caracalla were the largest thermal complex in the capital. They were later surpassed by the Baths of Diocletian, built between the 3rd<\/sup> and 4th<\/sup> centuries, but remained, according to ancient sources, the most beautiful baths in Rome. Some Romans even described them as one of the Seven Wonders of ancient Rome!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Well-being, Sports Socializing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Far from being mere public baths, the Baths of Caracalla were a vast complex dedicated to hygiene, well-being, and relaxation.
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In ancient times, the Baths of Caracalla were a meeting place conducive to discussion and socialization. Visitors could relax in the baths and get massages, chat in the vast gardens, work out at the palaestra (a sports center), study at the library, and according to some sources, even have a good time in a brothel\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These Romans…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

The Baths of Caracalla remained in use until the 6th<\/sup> century AD when the Ostrogoth invaders destroyed the aqueduct supplying water to the baths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The baths then gradually fell into oblivion. Like many ancient Roman sites, they were looted during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, and their materials were reused for new constructions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looters discovered incredible statues on the site, including the Farnese Bull and the Farnese Hercules, now on display at the Archaeological Museum of Naples.
Two large gray Egyptian marble basins, similar to giant bathtubs, were also found: they can be seen at Piazza Farnese in Rome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, the Baths of Caracalla are among the most iconic ancient sites in Rome. If you’re visiting during the high season, it\u2019s best to book skip-the-line tickets in advance<\/a> to avoid wasting time in queues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A Description of the Baths of Caracalla in Antiquity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Architecture and Decoration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In antiquity, the Baths of Caracalla were one of the largest and most sumptuous buildings in Rome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Covering an area of 11 hectares (27 acres), the baths formed an immense complex with vast gardens, public baths, massage rooms, sports facilities (palaestras, swimming pools…), and a large library.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bathers moved through several rooms and pools in a specific order:<\/p>\n\n\n\n