About Baths of Caracalla

The Baths of Caracalla, also known as Terme di Caracalla in Italian, are the second-largest historical thermae in Rome. The remarkable collection of ancient ruins serves as a reminder of the scale and significance of public baths throughout the Roman Empire. While showers and swimming pools come to mind when we think of "baths," in the olden days, these were crucial gathering places. The Roman baths were an important place for socialisation.

The initial order for the building of this thermae came from Emperor Lucius Septimius Severus. However, the construction's completion did not happen during his rule. Instead, construction came to a standstill under his son Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, also known as Antoninus and Caracalla. Large structures devoted to bathing and entertainment were known as Roman baths, or thermae in Latin. The Baths of Caracalla serve as a platform and backdrop for opera and ballet performances, in addition to being a popular tourist destination. The concerts have captivated Romans and visitors when they visit Baths of Caracalla every summer since the 1930s.

The Architecture of The Baths of Caracalla

Baths of Caracalla

Despite being in ruins now, the Baths of Caracalla's magnitude and materiality serve as a reminder of the creativity of the Classical Romans who created them. The Caracalla Baths were used for much more than just body washing. The baths in Classical Rome were located in the east of the city. In Bath, England, the ancient Roman baths have recently undergone conservation and are now a museum and spa. Three temperature baths were available at the location.

The first bath in the sequence in the Baths of Caracalla architecture is the Frigidarium, which has the coldest temperature. A medium-temperature bath is the Tepidarium. The Caldarium is like a hot bath. After the series, there was a temperature procession from cold to the hierarchy of the Caldarium. As part of the social bathing experience, the indoor bath building also housed pools, locker rooms, and saunas. Although the internal spaces do not currently have roofs, one can still appreciate the size of the amenities.

History of The Baths of Caracalla

Baths of Caracalla

The History of Baths of Caracalla says that the baths were built by the emperor Septimius Severus in 206 AD, but they were finished by his son, the emperor Caracalla, in 216 AD. According to the history of Baths of Caracalla, baths could be found in practically every town. They were used for social interaction and leisure pursuits in addition to serving as a place to wash up. Although there was typically an entrance fee, baths were accessible to all social classes. Typically, this cost was low so that everyone could use the bathhouses. Despite some disagreement, historical evidence from bathhouses reveals that women and men were typically kept apart, with ladies and children visiting in the morning or early afternoon and males visiting in the evening. The Baths of Caracalla, which will be the subject of the remainder of the course, are one of the most well-known bathhouses.

Plan Your Visit

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Baths of Caracalla

To avoid crowds, it is advised that you go to the baths in the spring (March to May) or fall (September to November). Although August and September are the ideal months to visit the Baths of Caracalla since, at that time, tourists can explore these red-bricked ruins at night.

With a few exceptions, the Baths of Caracalla are open every day of the year. It is challenging to obtain water once you enter the ruins, so if you're travelling in the summer, bring lots of water. Finding water is a hassle once you enter the ruins, so if you plan to visit the Baths of Caracalla in the summer, carry a lot of water. It is advised that you wear layers if you plan to visit Baths of Caracalla in the winter because the interior of the ruins can get rather windy.

FAQs

What can you do at the Baths of Caracalla?

    There are various things you can do at the Baths of Caracalla. You can explore sprawling structures of expansive bathing complexes, see the remains of poolside games played by the Romans, and visit the exhibition of Roam History and the Mithraeum. You can also enjoy open-air concerts, opera, and ballet performances held in summer when you visit Baths of Caracalla.

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