The ruins of ancient Roman baths - the Baths of Diocletian - were erected in the distant years 298-305 AD. In modern Rome, these ancient baths belong to. In addition to the baths, the museum includes three more objects, located separately: , Balbi crypt and.
History of the Baths of Diocletian
The Roman emperor Gaius Diocletian wanted to build the largest baths, which no others could compare with. This is how the baths appeared total area which, 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 Emperor Pius IV, Michelangelo carried out a large-scale reconstruction of the Diocletian Baths. So the caldarium term was reincarnated into a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, angels and martyrs. The building of the Carthusian monastery was built. Thanks to such diligent reconstruction, these ancient Roman baths have survived to this day much better than others.
The 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 holding meetings and sports exercises, and there was a library.
Museum at the Baths of Diocletian
Since 1889, the baths have housed a collection of Roman and Greek art. Overall, there is a lot to see and admire.
In the Baths 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 train station, Termini.
Working hours: The thermal 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 every month, admission is free for visitors under 18 years of age. The ticket price includes visits to other sites National Museum Rome. The ticket is valid for 3 days.
And the Baths of Trajan.
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This is what the baths looked like on the model.
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The layout corresponds quite accurately to the plan of the thermal baths depicted in the ancient engraving.
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The thermal baths could accommodate up to 3,200 people; the gardens were decorated with fountains and pavilions. The water supply to the baths was carried out through the Aqueduct of Marcius.
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The decoration of the baths was also luxurious: marble cladding, unique mosaic floors, galleries with statues of gods and babbling fountains.
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The baths served not only as baths, they served as a place of relaxation, communication, and a center of cultural and social life of the city. Entrance to them was allowed to all free citizens. On the territory of the complex there were gardens with pavilions, fountains, marble sculptures, there were also meeting rooms, an amphitheater, a library and a gymnasium.
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Baths of Diocletian in modern form- this is the Republic Square, on the site of the central hall the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri was erected, some rooms are occupied by the National Roman Museum with a collection of Roman and Greek art. One of the round halls of the baths was rebuilt into the Church of San Bernardo alle Terme.
Part of the ruins was rebuilt as a museum in 1889.
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Thermal, or Diocletian, window is a window that is divided by two vertical posts (middles) into three compartments - the central one is wider and the side ones are narrower. Such windows are typical of the Roman baths of Diocletian. During the Renaissance, the great Italian architect Andrea Palladio revived thermal windows, reworking the ancient form into the so-called Venetian window. Since then, Diocletian's windows have become firmly established in the arsenal of techniques of Palladianism and its successors.
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Republic Square
Until the 1950s, the square was called Exedra. This name is still used among local residents. The old name comes from the large exedra of the Baths of Diocletian - a semicircular deep niche with a semi-dome. The shape of the ancient exedra is repeated in the colonnade that borders the square from the southwest. Semicircular palazzos with porticoes were erected in 1887-1898. designed by the architect Gaetano Coch. The facade of the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri overlooks the square. In the center of the square is the Naiad Fountain, created by sculptor Mario Rutelli in 1901.
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Naiad Fountain [41.9030117N 12.4984825E]
In the last decade of his pontificate, Pope Pius IX ordered and financed reconstruction ancient aqueduct Marcius, which was badly damaged by the Goths in the sixth century, and has remained unused since then. The construction of the new aqueduct was entrusted in 1868 to the company "Acqua Pia Antica Marcia SpA", which was for a long time one of the main suppliers of water supply to the city. The aqueduct was planned to end with a large fountain. The first version of the fountain was built in 1870 in a slightly different place from where it is now. It was a simple large round pool with a large number of jets of water directed towards the center. The composition ended with five vertical jets of water, the central one being much higher. A few years later, in 1888, the architect Alessandro Guerriri completely changed the appearance of the fountain. It began to consist of three concentric circular cups at different heights, placed on an octagonal base. There was an attempt to install four lions, but it was unsuccessful and the project was abandoned. The next project, the work of sculptor Mario Rutelli, was built and opened in 1901. The Naiad Fountain was decorated with four nude female figures in bronze representing naiads: a Nymph of the lakes holding a swan, a Nymph of the rivers lying on a monster of the rivers, a Nymph of the underground waters lying on the back of a dragon, and a Nymph of the oceans riding a seahorse.
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In 1912, the fountain finally received its final appearance with the installation in the center of the Glauco group - a naked male figure capturing a dolphin and symbolizing man's dominion over natural force. The central stream of the fountain emerges from the dolphin's mouth. The work was fully opened in 1914.
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National Museum of Rome [41.9030157N 12.4984127E]
The National Roman Museum was opened in 1889. The National Roman Museum includes the Museum of the Baths, which houses a collection of famous ancient sculptures: “The Throne of Ludovisi”, “Disco Thrower”, “Fist Fighter”, “Gaul Killing His Wife” and many others, previously located in the Baths of Diocletian and Caracalla.
14. Entrance to the museum
The museum currently has one of the richest collections of ancient sculpture. The halls of the ancient baths of Diocletian display collections of inscriptions and sculptures.
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19. Collection of antique masks
Museum garden
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On the territory of the thermal baths in front of the museum entrance you can also see several very original sculptures.
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The halls of the museum display many ancient sculptures, tombstones, masks and other ancient exhibits.
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Great cloister
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In the center of the large cloister, among the green spaces, various animals are looking for something.
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Small cloister
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The National Roman Museum today is a complex of five objects dedicated to Roman history: the Baths of Diocletian, Palazzo Massimo, Palazzo Altemps, Balbi Crypt and the Palatino Museum. This museum is considered one of the best in terms of exhibition design, organization of work, and convenience for visitors. With one entrance ticket you can visit 4 sites: Baths of Diocletian, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, Palazzo Altemps, Balbi Crypt. The ticket is valid for 3 days.
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In 1563, by order of the pope, Michelangelo reconstructed the ruins of the central hall of the baths. The ruins were converted into the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli. The church is very interesting, with in-depth study of astronomy. A separate post will be dedicated to it, which I will publish in the near future.
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San Bernardo alle Terme [41.9036226N 12.4944699E]
San Bernardo alle Terme is a monastery church of the Cistercian order, dedicated to St. Bernard. The church building may have originally served as a spheristerium (ball game hall) that was part of the Baths of Diocletian. In 1593, this plot of land was bought by the niece of Pope Julius III and donated for the construction of the monastery. Its construction continued until 1598, the reconstruction of the church was completed in 1600.
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The structure of the church's dome is similar to the Pantheon, but is significantly smaller in diameter (only 22 m).
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Since 1670, the church has been titular; in the same year, the first restoration work was carried out: the interior decoration was updated, an organ was built in, the choir was improved, a fresco depicting St. Bernard. The last restoration was carried out in 2000. In the niches of the church there are 8 statues of saints by Camillo Mariani.
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51. Main altar
Altar of St. Bernard of Clairvaux
Altar of St. Bernard of Clairvaux is lavishly decorated with sculptures with ancient green columns. The altarpiece "Vision of Saints Flying in Ecstasy to Meet Jesus Being Descent from the Cross" by Italian artist Giovanni Odazzi replaced another canvas by Thomas Laureti.
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Altar of St. Abbot Roberio
Altar of St. Abbot Roberio, a graduate of the Holy Order of Cistercians, is decorated similarly to the altar of St. Bernard. The painting by Giovanni Odazzi depicts the Virgin and Child, St. John, St. Joseph and St. Roberto. Madonna puts a ring on her finger, a symbol of protection and devotion.
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Burial of Johann Friedrich Oberbeck, leader of the Nazarenes, artist, graphic artist and illustrator.
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In addition, very close to the Baths of Diocletian you can see a couple of attractions.
Obelisk of Dogali [41.9021613N 12.4974632E]
This is one of two obelisks brought from Heliopolis. The second is now installed in the Boboli Gardens in Florence. Initially, the monument was brought to the Temple of Isis in Rome. Found in 1883 by Rodolfo Lanziani near Santa Maria sopra Minerva. Currently, the monument is dedicated in honor of the battle near Dogali. The location of the modern obelisk changed from the square in front of Termini Station to its current location in 1924.
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Statue of John Paul II a work by Oliviero Rainaldi entitled Conversazioni (conversations) installed on March 18, 2011. Behind the "back" of the monument is the central bus station Rome (Termini station).
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Finally, for a better understanding, I suggest watching a video with a three-dimensional model of the ancient baths of Diocletian.
The Romans were specialists not only in military affairs and art. Built in the 3rd century AD, the Baths of Diocletian (Terme di Diocleziano) were truly the crowning achievement of engineering at that time. Technical equipment Banya was far ahead of its time. In terms of convenience and quality of execution, the thermal baths can compete with modern SPA complexes of our time. The baths owe their name to the Roman emperor Gaius Aurelius Diocletian, the same one who, at the end of his reign, abdicated power and retired to his small homeland to grow cabbage.
The territory allocated for construction was 30 hectares. At the same time, over three thousand people could take water treatments 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 directly through a complex water supply system connected to the branch of the Marcius Aqueduct.
The townspeople (and entry was allowed to all free citizens) not only washed themselves, 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 disrepair and were gradually destroyed. In the mid-16th century, the great sculptor and architect Michelangelo built a new Renaissance-style bathhouse and monastery on the remains of the bathhouse.
The healing properties of Therm
Swimming in warm water, rich in mineral salts, has been considered a healing activity since ancient times. Hydrotherapy in thermal springs, according to Hippocrates, had a positive effect on a person’s general physical condition. Roman baths gained particular value due to the supply of water of varying temperatures to the baths. In an amazing way, the water was heated by the sun's rays, while the water in the shaded areas remained cool. Roman doctors noted special chemical and physical properties water from springs, which had a beneficial effect on the health of the Romans.
Grandiose Baths today
Today, the Baths of Diocletian are an interesting architectural monument, divided into three parts, surrounded by the gardens of Republic Square.
Part of the territory was given over to the main exhibition of the National Roman Museum, or the Museum of Baths. The museum's exposition includes the walls of the baths themselves, ancient sculptures (including the creations of Michelangelo himself) and other objects from life ancient Rome. Another part of the Baths of Diocletian was rebuilt into the Basilica of San Bernardo alle Terme. The remaining buildings, in the form of ruins, are left for modern tourists visiting Rome to study and admire.
Directions and visiting conditions
The baths are located on Enrico De Nicola street (Via Enrico de Nicola) at number 79. The best way to get to the baths and the museum - use the Roman metro. You need to get off at Repubblica or Termini stations, then follow the signs and walk a few hundred meters. Another way to get there: 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 visiting the thermal baths is 8.5-12 euros, depending on the number of attractions to see. For a maximum cost of 12 euros, tourists get the opportunity to explore the Baths in full over 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 baths there is a church built in the Baroque style.
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