The ruins of the ancient Roman baths - the baths of Diocletian - were built in the distant 298-305 AD. In modern Rome, these ancient baths belong to. In addition to the baths, the museum includes three more objects located separately: the Balbi crypt and.
The history of Diocletian's baths
The Roman emperor Gaius Diocletian wanted to build the largest baths with which no other could compare. This is how the baths appeared, the total area of \u200b\u200bwhich, together with the gardens, occupied about 13 hectares.
Since 537, after the destruction of the aqueduct by the Ostrogothic king Vitiges, the baths no longer functioned as intended.
In 1563, on behalf of the Emperor Pius IV, Michelangelo carried out a large-scale reconstruction of the Diocletian Baths. So the caldarium of the term was reincarnated into a church dedicated to the Mother of God, angels and martyrs. The building of the Carthusian monastery was erected. Thanks to such diligent reconstruction, these ancient Roman baths have survived to this day much better than others.
Baths of Diocletian could simultaneously accommodate up to 3 thousand people. Very extensive gardens were decorated with fountains and pavilions. On the territory there were halls for meetings and sports exercises, a library worked.
Museum in Baths of Diocletian
Since 1889, the bath houses a collection of Roman and Greek art. Overall, there is something to see and admire.
In the Thermal Museum, you will see not only Michelangelo's masterpieces, brought to life in the church and monastery, but also ancient statues, sarcophagi, reliefs, altars, tombs and much more.
How to get there
The Baths of Diocletian in Rome are located next to the Republic Square. Opposite Rome's main station, Termini.
Working hours: The Baths Museum can be visited from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:00 to 19:30. The ticket price is 7 euros. Persons from 18 to 25 years old - 3.5 euros. On the first Sunday of each month, admission is free for visitors under 18. The ticket price includes visits to the rest of the sites of the National Museum of Rome. The ticket is valid for 3 days.
Diocletian's Baths Museum is one of the four buildings that house the National Roman Museum. Other places are as follows: Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, Palazzo Altemps, Crypt Balbi... Post about the Museum of Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, where, through the route of the museum, you can relive history, myths and everyday life in Rome.
Initially Baths of Diocletian was a colossal imperial thermal complex built between 298 and 306 AD, which covered an area of \u200b\u200bmore than 13,000 m2.
According to legend, the baths were built by Christians condemned to death. They accommodated over 3,000 bathers at a time, approximately twice the number of people for which the Baths of Caracalla were designed. It took 10 years to build them, compared to 5 years that took to build the Caracalla baths. The thermal baths had three thousand baths and three spacious pools with clean, transparent water.
During the time of the empire, the baths were open to men, as well as to women and children, and even a very modest payment in one quadrant was sometimes covered by the generosity of the emperor or some rich man who could take on the entire cost of visiting the baths for a period from one day to one year. The Romans went to thermal baths to meet others, take walks and chat, some to play ball and other games, others to experience more intense physical activity, such as wrestling, or to watch others do it, and of course get some coolness. in summer and warm in winter. Cold baths were in the frigidaria — the cool room in the bathhouse; there was also a warm room, or tepidarium, as well as a heated room, a calidarium, where there were warm baths and hot steam to induce perspiration, as in our modern Turkish baths. The room was even hotter, laconic, used mostly by patients. The heat was provided by a furious fire under the floor, kindled by slaves, using a lot of wood.
Bathers could enjoy any or all of them in turn and in any other order. Now there is little left of the former glory of the thermal baths, but they still excite our impressions. The same feelings are overwhelmed at the sight.
Today it is the seat of the National Roman Museum, founded in 1898. Its archaeological heritage is one of the richest in the world, it comes from various collections and partly consists of finds from the thermal baths. On the territory of the thermal complex, Michelangelo skillfully placed the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli in the Renaissance style, which Pope Pius IV wished in 1561.
In the monastery courtyard created by Michelangelo, more than 400 sculptures of all types belonging to Roman masters are exhibited (architectural finds, marble groups and statues, sarcophagi, altar of donations).
The branch of the museum in the Baths of Diocletian was conceived to familiarize with the beginning of Roman history.
It contains an extensive epigraphic section, demonstrating the emergence of the Latin language thanks to texts written in various media, dating back to the period from the 8th century BC. until the 4th century A.D.
Baths of Diocletian (Terme di Diocleziano)
Ancient Rome is a mysterious and surprisingly developed world. From a technical point of view, at one time he knew no equal. Take, for example, the thermal baths, which were provided with water through underground aqueducts (water pipelines). These were not just baths, but whole complexes. One of them is the Baths of Diocletian.
Historical reference
The construction of the thermal baths began in 298. In 303, they already stood in all their glory and were consecrated, receiving the name in honor of Diocletian. The structure was so huge that it could simultaneously accommodate 3000 people.
During the invasion of the Vandals and the Goths, the Baths of Diocletian continued to function partially. But in 537, the invaders destroyed the aqueduct through which water was supplied to the baths, and they were devastated. In 1566, by order of the Pope, the baths began to be restored. Michelangelo took part in the work. He turned the central hall into the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli.
But then a whole period of desolation followed again. So baths gradually became a source of cheap material for the construction of other structures. The Baths of Diocletian suffered most in the period from 1586 to 1589, when the villa was being built for Pope Sixtus the Fifth.
In 1889, part of the Baths of Diocletian was turned into a museum. And at the beginning of the 20th century, the authorities of Rome decided to finally make these baths a monument of ancient architecture and history. Today it houses the National Roman Museum.
Curious facts
The Baths of Diocletian had beautiful gardens. They were decorated with pavilions and fountains. The complex also included a gymnasium, meeting rooms, a library, a steam room, lounges, cold bath rooms, a swimming pool, and an amphitheater. All this had a very rich decoration.
Modern excavations have established that the baths were not built from scratch - before that there were even more ancient buildings that were demolished. The Baths of Diocletian was supplied with water through one of the branches of the Marcius aqueduct.
Architectural features
These baths are an example of ancient architecture. They occupied a fairly large area, covering over 13 hectares. The construction was based on the project of two previous terms - the emperors Trajan and Caracalla.
What can you see?
Today you can see the ruins of the main building from the side of Republic Street. One of the snakes has been preserved as the entrance to the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli, which Michelangelo converted from the central hall of the thermae. Another part became the National Roman Museum. People call it simply the Museum of Thermal Baths.
Several circular rooms (presumably 1-2) were rebuilt into the Basilica of San Bernardo alle Terme. A fragment of another similar room can be seen between Via Viminale and Piazza Cinquecento. There are also unused parts of the Baths of Diocletian in the form of ruins. They are located a few streets before the National Roman Museum, which contains such masterpieces as:
- a good fighter;
- Throne of Ludovisi;
- Gallus killing his wife;
- Discus thrower and so on.
Helpful information
How to get to the term? By metro - to the station Republic (Repubblica), then - 5 minutes on foot; to the Termini station, and then 10 minutes on foot.
Visit time: daily - at 9: 00-19: 45, except Mondays (this is a day off). The ticket office closes at 19:15.
Entrance ticket price: full adult - 7 euros.
Address: Rome, street Enrico de Nicola (Via Enrico de Nicola), building 79.
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The Romans were experts not only in military affairs and art. Built in the 3rd century AD, the Terme di Diocleziano was truly the crown of engineering at the time. The technical equipment of the baths was far ahead of its time. In terms of convenience and quality of performance, the terms can compete with modern spa complexes of our time. The terms owe their name to the Roman emperor Gaius Aurelius Diocletian, the same one who at the end of his reign abdicated and retired to his small homeland to grow cabbage.
The area allotted for construction was 30 hectares... At the same time, more than three thousand people could receive water procedures in the baths, for whom individual baths were installed and public steam rooms were equipped. Three large swimming pools have also been built for visitors. Water was supplied to the baths and pools by direct flow through a complex design of the aqueduct connected to the outlet of the Marcius aqueduct.
The townspeople (and all free citizens were allowed to enter) not only washed, but also spent time culturally in gardens with sculptures, attended performances in the amphitheater, read books in the library and did physical exercises in the gym.
Unfortunately, by the 7th century, the Baths of Diocletian fell into decay and gradually collapsed. In the middle of the 16th century, the great sculptor and architect Michelangelo built a new Renaissance-style thermal bath and a monastery on the remains of a bath.
Healing properties of Term
Bathing in warm water, rich in mineral salts, has been considered a healing event since ancient times. Hydrotherapy in thermal springs, according to Hippocrates, had a positive effect on the general physical condition of a person. The Roman baths received special value due to the supply of water of various temperatures to the baths. In an amazing way, the heating of the water by the sun's rays was organized, while the water in the shaded areas remained cool. Roman physicians noted the special chemical and physical properties of spring water, which had a beneficial effect on the health of the Romans.
Great Baths today
Today the Baths of Diocletian is an interesting architectural monument, divided into three parts, surrounded by the gardens of the Republic Square.
Part of the territory was given over to the main exposition of the Roman National Museum, or the Museum of Thermes. The exposition of the museum includes the walls of the baths themselves, antique sculptures (including the creations of Michelangelo himself) and other objects from the life of ancient Rome. Another part of the Baths of Diocletian was rebuilt into the Basilica of San Bernardo alle Terme. The rest of the buildings in the form of ruins are left to modern tourists visiting Rome for study and admiration.
Travel and conditions of visit
The baths are located on Via Enrico de Nicola at number 79. The best way to get to the thermal baths and the museum is to take the Roman Metro. You need to get off at the stations Republic (Repubblica) or Termini (Termini), then follow the signs to walk a few hundred meters. Alternative way of travel: buses No. 82, 61, 62, 60, 492 to the Cernaia stop.
Entrance for foreigners is paid, tickets are sold at the box office... The cost of acquaintance with the thermal baths is 8.5-12 euros, depending on the number of sightseeing attractions. For a maximum cost of 12 euros, tourists get the opportunity to see the Terme in full for several days. Visits for tourists are allowed on all days except Monday, from 9:00 to 19:45, ticket offices close half an hour before the end of work.
Not far from the thermal baths, there is a Baroque church.
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Unfortunately, only ruins remain of many of the ancient sights of the Italian capital, but even what has survived and restored amazes tourists with its scale. Baths of Diocletian - this is the name of the ancient Roman public baths. This is a whole complex of structures of equal size and technical equipment in the empire never existed.
The history of the creation of the Baths of Diocletian in Rome
By order of Emperor Diocletian, the construction of baths in the "eternal city" began in 298. After seven years, the complex was completely finished and consecrated in honor of Caesar. The buildings were located on a vast territory of 13 hectares and could simultaneously accommodate about three thousand visitors. The Roman baths of Diocletian included three thousand baths and three large pools, which were supplied with water from underground aqueducts.
The interior of the complex was no less luxurious:
- unique mosaic floors;
- facing with marble;
- babbling fountains;
- statues of the gods.
Termi Diocleziano was a favorite holiday destination for the Romans. They performed not only the functions of baths, but also were a cozy place for communication, a hotbed of social and cultural life in Rome. Entrance was allowed for all free citizens. On the territory of Diocletian's baths, fountains, marble sculptures were built, gardens with pavilions were laid out. There were also meeting rooms, a library, an amphitheater and a gymnasium.
The legend says that the baths of Diocletian in Rome were built by Christians condemned to death, and it took 10 years to build the complex. During the Roman Empire, the baths could be visited by men, women and children. The Romans came to the complex to unwind, relax, chat with each other, or take a walk. More active townspeople visited the baths of Diocletian to play sports games, to take up wrestling.
The baths had several rooms for various types of procedures:
- taking cold baths in a cool room (frigidaria);
- hot, like modern saunas;
- warm, to preheat the body.
In the middle of the 16th century, the Goths destroyed the Roman aqueduct, and the baths of Diocletian fell into disrepair. Over time, the complex began to decay, until in 1563, by the decree of Pope Pius IV, the famous Michelangelo transformed the building. The cozy monastery courtyard, designed by the architect, now houses more than 400 exhibits from the times of imperial Rome and many antique sculptures.
Baths of Diocletian at present
At the end of the 19th century, part of the complex was reconstructed. Currently, this part of the Baths of Diocletian houses the National Museum of Rome. Its archaeological heritage is considered one of the richest in the entire world and consists of finds from the thermal baths, as well as various collections of Roman and Greek art. On the territory of the baths, Michelangelo harmoniously placed the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli, built in the style of the Renaissance.
The Palazzo Altemps, in addition to the Baths of Diocletian, is one of the main objects of the National Museum of Rome. There are 104 sculptures of the antique era, collections belonging to the cardinals Ludovisi, Altemps and the princes Mattei. The palace was built by Melozzo da Forlì in the 15th century on the Champ de Mars near Piazza Navona.
Another remarkable palace was built by the architect Camilo Pistrucci in 1883-1887. On the ground floor there is a numismatic collection, on the other three - antique paintings, sculptures and mosaics. Particularly memorable are the frescoes with painted birds, trees and flowers from winter triclinium, which previously adorned the villa of Augustus' wife, Libya. The pride of the National Museum is considered to be works from Villa Farnezina and sarcophagi. Gall Ludovisi is also a must-see in the Baths of Diocletian in Rome. This is a marble replica of a large triumphal monument that shows the scene of Gallus killing his wife. The sculpture is filled with expression and is made with full detail of what is happening.
How to get to the Baths of Diocletian
The complex is located on Via Enrico de Nicola (Enrico De Nicola). The most convenient way to get to the Baths of Diocletian is to use the metro. You should get off at one of the stations - Termini or Repubblica, and then walk a few hundred meters. Another option to get to the ancient Roman baths is by bus (there are several routes) to the Cernaia stop.
A visit to the Baths of Diocletian in Rome for tourists is possible on any day except Monday. Opening hours from 9.00 to 19.45. It should be borne in mind that ticket offices close half an hour before the end of the complex. Not far from the ancient Roman baths is the Baroque church of Santa Maria della Vittoria, which will also be attractive to tourists.
