Baths of Caracalla

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Baths of Caracalla, in 2003
The Baths of Caracalla, in 2003
The Baths of Caracalla on 'Notte Bianca', 2006
The Baths of Caracalla on 'Notte Bianca', 2006

The Baths of Caracalla were Roman public baths, or thermae, built in Rome between AD 212 and 216, during the reign of the Emperor Caracalla. The extensive ruins of the baths have become a popular tourist attraction.

The bath complex covered approximately 13 hectares (33 ac). The bath building was 228 meters (750 ft) long, 116 meters (380 ft) wide and 38.5 meters (125 ft) estimated height, and could hold an estimated 1,600 bathers.[1]

The Caracalla bath complex of buildings was more a leisure centre than just a series of baths. The "baths" were the second to have a public library within the complex. Like other public libraries in Rome, there were two separate and equal sized rooms or buildings; one for Greek language texts and one for Latin language texts.

The baths consisted of a central 55.7 by 24 meter (183x79 ft) frigidarium (cold room) under three 32.9 meter (108 ft) high groin vaults, a double pool tepidarium (medium), and a 35 meter (115 ft) diameter caldarium (hot room), as well as two palaestras (gyms where wrestling and boxing was practiced). The north end of the bath building contained a natatio or swimming pool. The natatio was roofless with bronze mirrors mounted overhead to direct sunlight into the pool area. The entire bath building was on a 6 meter (20 ft) high raised platform to allow for storage and furnaces under the building.[1]

The libraries were located in exedrae on the east and west sides of the bath complex. The entire north wall of the complex was devoted to shops. The reservoirs on the south wall of the complex were fed with water from the Marcian Aqueduct.[1]

Reconstruction of the floorplan of the bath complex.
Reconstruction of the floorplan of the bath complex.

The building was heated by a hypocaust, a system of burning coal and wood underneath the ground to heat water provided by a dedicated aqueduct. It was in use up to the 19th century.

In the early 20th century, the design of the baths was used as the inspiration for several modern structures, including Pennsylvania Station in New York City, USA and National Assembly Building in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

A section of the complex mosaic floor tiling found in the baths.
A section of the complex mosaic floor tiling found in the baths.

The baths are open to the public for an admission fee of 6 Euros, which does not apply to students or pensioners from the EU. Access is limited to certain areas to avoid damage to the mosaic floors, although such damage is already clearly visible. Also, a total of 22 well-preserved columns looted from the ruins are found in the church of Santa Maria in Trastevere, taken there in the 12th century.


[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Roth, Leland M. (1993). Understanding Architecture: Its Elements, History and Meaning, First, Boulder, CO: Westview Press. ISBN 0-06-430158-3. 

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
v • d • e
Landmarks of Rome
Basilicas and other religious sites
Gardens, parks and natural attractions
Ancient temples, monuments and sporting venues
Aqueducts, squares, fountains, towers and walls
Sculptures
Seven Hills