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The traveller who leaves the station of the Termini has only to cross the piazza dei Cinquencento, with the terminal of the buses, to find himself plunged in the baths of Diocletian.
The Diocletian's Baths - Terme di Diocleziano, build around 300 AD, were the largest and most sumptuous of the imperial baths and remained in use until the aqueducts that fed them were cut by the Goths in 537. They were the grandest of the public baths and are similar in size and plan to those of Caracalla. The Baths of Diocletian accommodated 3,000 bathers; they are well preserved because various parts were converted later to ecclesiastical or other use.
The basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli was built in the tepidarium of the baths and the church of San Bernardo alle Terme is located in an old circular tower of the perimeter wall of the baths.
In the main hall and the octagonal aula, was installed the Museo Nazionale Romano in 1889.
Important changes happened at the Diocletian's Baths these last ten years. During my visit in December 2007 the Terme were closed for restoration works but can be seen from outside.
The collections of the Museo Nazionale Romano have been distributed over 4 places:
Museo dei Terme di Diocleziano, next to the baths and including the Michelangelo Cloister (Proto history of the Latium and epigraphy).
Museo Palazzo Massimo (on the other side of the street) Ancient Roman art (sculptures and fresco's),
Museo Palazzo Altemps (near piazza Navona, ref. my tip)
Crypta Balbi (near piazza Venezia) Address: Entrance by Via Enrico de NicolaDirections: Between Piazza della Repubblica and Termini bus terminal.
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On my previous trips to Rome I had not visited the Baths of Caracalla. What a mistake!
These baths are the most imposing monument of ancient Rome which one can see nowadays. Of course there is the Coliseum, but the baths of Caracalla correspond much more to my views on the Roman civilization than the cruel circus games practiced in the Coliseum.
The function of the baths was the care of the body and the spirit (by the libraries). The social function of the thermal baths was also important. The Romans spent their afternoon there, after work. The poor and rich persons had access to the baths but the rich were accompanied by their slaves to help them in their ablutions.
The site, to the south of the centre of Rome, with its 11 hectares is huge and is planted with beautiful pine trees.
It is the largest and best preserved ancient thermal complex. It is typical of the “Large Imperial Thermal baths” by the rectangular layout of the central building and the sequence of caldarium, tepidarium, frigidarium with swimming pool. Two gymnasia “palestres” frame the whole. I noted that the Italians still use y the term “palestre” to indicate a room for gymnastics or bodybuilding.
This central building which goes back to 212 after J.C. is 214 m long, the height of the still existing walls exceeds 20 m and the height of the ancient cupola is evaluated at 40 m. The swimming pool had a 53 m length!
By their good conservation the baths of Caracalla made it possible to study the techniques of construction and the various aspects of the interior decoration.
To visit the Terme I suggest to bring with you a good illustrated guide or to get an audio guide at the entrance.
Open every day from 9 h to sunset. Monday open from 9 - 14 h (Tickets office closes 1 hour before).
Ticket “Appia Antica” valid 7 days for 3 sites: Terme di Caracalla, Villa Quintili, Mausoleo Cecillia Metella, normal 6 €, reduced 3 €, free EU -18 years, + 65 years. Address: Viale delle Terme di Caracalla 52Directions: At 500 m from Metro station Circo Massimo.
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 MERIDIAN line of Santa
Maria degli Angeli by breughel,
1 more photos
In 1702 the astronomer and mathematician Francesco Bianchini built this meridian line at request of Pope Clement XI.
The meridian line composed of bronze, enclosed in yellow-white marble, runs in a diagonal way from the right part of the transept to the left part of the choir over a distance of 45 m.
Pope Clement XI wanted to check the accuracy of the Gregorian calendar and so to exactly predict Easter. Another object was to give Rome a meridian line as Bologna's cathedral had aready one.
The church of Santa Maria degli Angeli was chosen because the antique building was very stable. The instruments would not move. Furthermore the Baths were oriented to the south and the height of the walls allowed a precise measure of the progress of the sun through the year.
Bianchini, in addition to the line to mark the sun, added holes in the ceiling to mark the passage of stars. The meridian line, restored in 2002, is still operational today.
Visitors who are interested in astronomy can read on the website of the church www.santamariadegliangeliroma.it all scientific details in Italian, English, French and Spanish about the Clementine gnomon, observation of stars, equinoxes and solstices, the solar image produced by the pinhole at 20.35 m in height.
Very useful info before visiting the church.
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One enters this church by a door in the ruined wall of what was in his time the caldarium of the Diocletian Baths. The vestibule of the church is the tepidarium of the Terme. The huge transept of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri (St. Mary of the Angels and the Martyrs) is nothing else than the central part of the Terme di Diocleziano built around 300 A.D. by thousands of Christian slave workers.
The church ordered (1561) by pope Pius IV was constructed on a design of Michelangelo.
After a number of changes the church was transformed by the architect Vanvitelli around 1750. By building this church inside the antic baths and using the walls and vaults one can see now how ample and majestic were the antic constructions. The present surface of the church is only about one fifth of the surface of the antique baths.
It is interesting to compare the Caracalla ruins and this still vaulted construction.
The present transept of the church is largely decorated with paintings coming from the St Peters basilica where they were replaced by mosaics on the walls. The paintings, the polychrome floors, the eight monolithic red granite columns and the choir have made of this church a monument to history, art, faith and, more surprising, to science with the meridian line build in 1702 through the church by astronomer F. Bianchini on request of Pope Clement XI.
Open: 7-12.30 and 16-18.30 Address: Piazza della Repubblica
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 "Divinity in Light," the
stained glass dome by Lacristina
For a wonderful example of this instant time warp, go and see Santa Maria degli Angeli.
The history:
Baths of Diocletian – built in 305 AD
Santa Maria degli Angeli, the church – designed and built in the 1560s.
The glass celestial dome by Narcissus Quagliata (yes, what an interesting name) – installed for the Jubilee Year 2000.
The church was designed by Michelangelo out of part of the remains of the Diocletian Baths. The baths could accommodate 3000 bathers at a time. While Michelangelo designed and began work on the church, he died in 1564 before it was completed. Michelangelo must have admired the baths, as he changed so little of the interiors.
When you enter, you’ll be amazed at the height of the original tepidarium, now the transept of the church – 29 meters, or 95 feet. The floor you stand on is about 30 feet above the original baths floor.
A north-south meridian (a brass strip) crosses the floor on the right side of the transept. An opening high up on the southern wall (in a coat of arms) allows a beam of light from the sun to fall on the floor, lining up with the brass meridian at exactly true noon (which is about 12:15 in Rome).
Using this theme of a celestial sundial, Quagliata designed a masterpiece, the glass dome called “Divinity in Light.” It is spectacular. There are three lenses in the dome designed and built by the Institute of Astronomy of the University of Mexico. The lenses project an image of the sun on the church floor, which also serves as a sundial.
For more information on the glass dome, see http://www.nquagliata.com/
For more information on the church, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Maria_degli_Angeli_e_dei_Martiri Leave a Comment Address: Piazza della RepublicaPhone: 06 48 80 812Directions: Near Termini, the main train station
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 Terme di Caracalla - Caldarium
and Tepidarium by breughel, 2 more photos
Quelle erreur, ces thermes sont le monument le plus grandiose de la Rome antique que l'on puisse voir aujourd'hui. Bien sur il y a le Colisée, mais les thermes de Caracalla correspondent bien mieux par leur fonction des soins du corps et de l'esprit (les bibliothèques) à ma conception de la civilisation Romaine que les cruels jeux du cirque pratiqués au Colisée.
La fonction sociale des thermes était importante. Les Romains y passaient leur après-midi, après le travail. Pauvres et riches y avaient accès mais les riches s'y faisaient accompagner de leurs esclaves pour les aider dans leurs ablutions.
Le site, au sud du centre de Rome, avec ses 11 hectares est immense et magnifiquement arboré de pins parasols tout comme les alentours.
C'est le complexe thermal antique le plus grand et mieux conservé. Il est typique des "Grand Thermes Impériaux" par la disposition rectangulaire du bâtiment central et la séquence du caldarium, tepidarium, frigidarium avec bassin de natation. Deux gymnases "palestres" encadrent le tout. J'ai constaté que les Italiens utilisent encore aujourd'hui le terme "palestre" pour désigner une salle de gymnastique ou de musculation.
Ce bâtiment central qui date de 212 après J.C. a une longueur de 214 m, la hauteur des murs encore existants dépasse les 20 m et on évalue la hauteur de la coupole à 40 m. La piscine avait une longueur de 53 m!
Les thermes de Caracalla de par leur bonne conservation ont permis d'étudier les techniques de construction Romaine et, ce qui est plus rare, la décoration intérieure.
Je conseille pour la visite de se munir d'un bon guide illustré ou de prendre l'audio guide.
Ouvert tous les jours de 9 h au coucher du soleil. Lundi ouvert de 9 à 14 h. (La billetterie ferme 1 heure avant).
Billet "Appia Antica" valable 7 jours pour 3 sites: Terme di Caracalla, Villa Quintili, Mausoleo Cecillia Metella, 6 €, réduit 3 €, gratuit UE -18 ans, + 65 ans. Address: Viale delle Terme di Caracalla 52
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 The Baths of Caracalla by mccalpin
I recall the dimensions of the baths being something like one kilometer by two kilometers - a huge complex of buildings whose mosaic floors and vaulted ceilings partially survive today.
The ruins are so large that an opera stage is tucked into a part of the site - traditionally, the opera "Aida" was performed here, complete with elephants on stage. Leave a Comment Address: southeast of the Circus MaximusDirections: At the southern end of the Circus Maximus, face away from the Circus. Straight in front of you leads to Viale delle Terme di Caracalla. Follow the Viale away from the Circus, and you will shortly pass in front of the Baths.
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One of the nicest ways to spend an afternoon is to go to the baths of Caracalla. This is a huge complex with lots of areas to see including the ruins of the baths and a park. It is almost like a labyrith inside. A lot of the walls are still standing so you can get a feel as to the scale of how large the complex use to be . Some of these wall are three stories high! It is so amazing to be able to walk inside and be surrounded by history. There are areas where you are totally surrounded by the old walls and passageways. You can imagine how the building looked, as some of the decoration is still visable. Moldings and columns are propped against the walls. In some areas there is still tiling on the floor. In other areas, they have slabs of the decorative tiling leaning in the area where they were found. There is a beautiful park in the complex where you can have a picnic lunch and enjoy having the ruins of a beautiful historic building right along side of you. There are trees and benchs and gravel paths that invite you to take your time and relax, just as the romans did.
The entrance fee is 12 euros. They give you a map that helps you understand the different rooms that you see. We took a guidebook that had info on the baths with us, so we could get a more in-depth view of the whole area. It is truly an amazing way to spend an hour or two. Leave a Comment Address: baths of caracalla.Directions: On Via delle terme di Caracalla. You can walk from the Colosseum to the circus maximus then turn left to the Baths or take the metro to the circus maximus stop and head to the Baths.
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 The Baths of Caracalla by martin_nlLeave a Comment Address: Viale delle Terme di CaracallaDirections: It's a short walk from the Circus Maximus. Bus 628 stops right in front of the complex.
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The Baths of Caracalla are one of the better preserved Roman monuments in Rome. They were built in the 3rd century by Emperor Caracalla. For the most part the walls are still standing and therefore you are able to get a vivid impression on the immense size of the baths. The were about 27 acres in size and 1,600 people could bath here at one time. The mosaic floors are very well maintained as I witnessed first hand. Watching one labourer, I thought what a difficult and tedious job it must be to pick out the blades of grass that was growing up between the mosaic tiles. Today the baths are frequently used for opera concerts. In fact there apparently was one going on the night after my visit and makeshift bleachers were placed about the baths' walls. Leave a Comment Address: Via delle Terme di Caracalla 52Phone: 06-575-8626Directions: South of Rome's city centre.
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