Baths of Diocletian in Rome opening hours. The Baths of Diocletian in Rome - a huge complex for water treatments

Unfortunately, only ruins remain of many ancient sights of the capital of Italy, but even what has survived and been restored amazes tourists with its scale. The Baths of Diocletian are the name of the ancient Roman public baths. This is a whole complex of structures, equal in size and technical equipment never existed in the empire.

The history of the creation of the Baths of Diocletian in Rome

By order of Emperor Diocletian, the construction of baths in " eternal city"began in 298. Seven years later, the complex was completely finished and consecrated in honor of Caesar. The structures were located on a huge 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, the water of which was supplied from underground aqueducts.

The interior decoration of the complex was no less luxurious:

• unique mosaic floors;
• marble cladding;
• babbling fountains;
• statues of 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 center of social and cultural life in Rome. Entry was allowed to all free citizens. On the territory of Diocletian's baths, fountains, marble sculptures were built, and 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 the construction of the complex took 10 years. During the Roman Empire, baths were open to men, women and children. The Romans came to the complex to relax, relax, chat with each other or take a walk. More active townspeople visited the Baths of Diocletian to play sports games and engage in wrestling.

The baths had several rooms for different types of procedures:

• taking cold baths in a cool room (frigidarium);
• hot, like modern saunas;
• warm, to preheat the body.

In the mid-16th century, the Goths destroyed the Roman aqueduct, and the Baths of Diocletian fell into disrepair. Over time, the complex began to deteriorate, until in 1563, by order of Pontiff Pius IV, the famous Michelangelo transformed the structure. The cozy monastery courtyard, designed by the architect, now houses more than 400 exhibits from the times of imperial Rome and many ancient 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 found in the 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 Renaissance style.

The Palazzo Altemps, in addition to the Baths of Diocletian, is one of the main buildings national museum Rome. There are 104 sculptures from the ancient era, collections belonging to Cardinals Ludovisi, Altemps and the Princes of Mattei. The palace was built according to a design by Melozzo da Forli in the 15th century on the Campus Martius near Piazza Navona.

Another remarkable palace was erected by the architect Camilo Pistrucci in 1883-1887. On the ground floor there is a numismatic collection, on the other three there are antique paintings, sculptures and mosaics. Particularly memorable are the frescoes with painted birds, trees and flowers from the winter triclinium, which previously decorated the villa of Augustus’s wife, Livia. The pride of the national museum is considered to be works from the Villa Farnesina and sarcophagi. “Gal Ludovisi” is also a must-see at the Baths of Diocletian in Rome. This is a marble copy of a large triumphal monument, showing the scene of Gall killing his wife. The sculpture is filled with expression and is made with complete 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). Most convenient way to get to the Baths of Diocletian - use the metro. You should get off at one of the stations - Termini or Republic (Repubblica), and then walk a few hundred meters. Another option to get to the ancient Roman baths is to take a bus (there are several routes) to the Cernaia stop.

Tourists can visit the Baths of Diocletian in Rome on any day except Monday. Opening hours from 9.00 to 19.45. Please note that the ticket office closes half an hour before the complex closes. Not far from the ancient Roman baths is the Baroque church of Santa Maria della Vittoria, which will also be attractive to tourists.

Baths of Diocletian. About the popularity of terms in ancient world Evidenced by the fact that, for example, in the famous baths of Diocletian, about 3,500 people could bathe.

The use of thermal baths for hydrotherapy has been known in the Mediterranean since ancient times. In particular, thermal waters used by the Greeks. This is evidenced by the mass archaeological finds, literary and scientific evidence. Bathing in hot waters was valued by the Greeks primarily because they believed in their divine origin. It is no coincidence that in the regions thermal springs temples were built, such as the Temple of Apollo at Delphi or the Temple of Olympus. Despite the fact that the ancient peoples were wrong about the origin of thermal springs, they were right about one thing: the water from them really has a positive effect on the human body. Advantages of hot springs and mineral waters Hippocrates praised it in his treatise “The Use of Liquids.”

The baths of Dioctetian have survived to this day in a fairly intact state, although they underwent reconstruction in 1566. One of the round halls was rebuilt into the Church of San Bernardo alle Terme

Human life is unthinkable without water. Water is a source of life-giving moisture, with its help we prepare food and, most importantly, after hard work we perform ablution, which brings us freshness, health and vitality to the body. It is difficult to say with certainty who, when and under what circumstances the first bathhouse was invented. A detailed written description of the baths was compiled by the ancient Greek historian Herodotus of Halicarnassus in the 5th century BC. e. He assumed that the first baths arose among different peoples almost simultaneously. One of the first to introduce the cult of baths were the Egyptians. These baths acted as medical institutions, since in Ancient Egypt Many diseases were treated with water. Egyptian papyri contain many recipes that helped women and men get rid of the signs of aging. Baths were the main means of rejuvenation and healing. The Greeks, in turn, adopted many designs for the construction of baths.

At the beginning of their existence, Greek baths were called “laconicums”, from the city of Lakonica, from where bathing procedures spread throughout Greece.

It is impossible not to note in our story a great fan of the baths of Herod, the king of Judea. His most famous building was the Northern Palace built in Masada. The baths of Masada were decorated with mosaics and marble and amazed with their luxury. They consisted of a changing room, a room with a swimming pool (also called a cool room), a warm room and a hot steam room (caldarium) with a double floor. The structure of the caldarium itself was somewhat reminiscent of a modern Finnish sauna. The king also had a special room for anointing his body with healing oils and incense.

In ancient Rome, baths arose according to the Greek model of baths, they were called therms (ancient baths in Greece, in large houses). The first Baths in Rome were built by Emperor Agrippa (25-19 BC) and handed them over to the Roman population for use.

And the Roman Emperor Andrian, in turn, made the culture of visiting thermal baths widespread. He was the founder not only of the mass construction of public baths, but also the founder of the standard construction of public buildings. The heating methods and systems in its thermal baths still evoke the admiration of modern specialists. Water supply systems of different temperatures for swimming pools are strikingly complex. The popularity of baths in the ancient world is evidenced by the fact that, for example, in the famous baths of Diocletian, about 3,500 people could bathe.

Ruins of the Baths of Diocletian

But if the Greeks were one of the first peoples to appreciate hot springs, then the Romans were the ones who glorified this means of relaxation and healing. The ancestors of modern Italians did this through the massive construction of public baths. Thus, in Rome alone the number of public and private baths exceeded 800. In general, the Romans tried to build themes wherever they discovered thermal springs.

Baths of Caracalla

The most famous thermal buildings that have survived to this day are the Baths of Caracalla and the Baths of Diocletian. Looking at these buildings, it is easy to imagine how famous personalities rested in the baths: Pliny the Elder, Catullus, Vitruvius, Tibullus, Titus Livius, Horace, Martial and other prominent figures. The latter, by the way, dedicated a number of his epigrams to the baths. It is noteworthy that despite the big names mentioned above, the cost of visiting the baths was not very high. So they were available to all inhabitants of the Roman Empire.

The Baths of Diocletian is a structure that architecturally follows the shape of the entire city. It was erected in Ancient Rome and served as a bathhouse. At one time, 3,200 people could fit there.

Diocletian, as one of the ancient Roman emperors, dreamed of delighting his guests with luxurious festivities. It was here, at the end of the 3rd century AD. entertainment events, rich feasts and absolutely any entertainment that one could imagine were concentrated. And for the curious, it was possible to chat in the libraries, which were located right there.

The Baths of Diocletian were built in such a way that on any day the water was heated by the warm rays of the sun, and where it was needed it remained cold. Until the 6th century, the legendary Roman aqueduct functioned here, until it was destroyed by the Goths.

Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, angels and martyrs in Rome. Located on Republic Square.

Later, the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli was founded on the ruins here. The baths were reconstructed in 1563 by order of the pope. All works were supervised by Michelangelo. By the way, he was 87 then.

The Catholic Church with its high morals at that time on the ruins of an ancient Roman bath, where people indulged in all possible sins, from drinking wine to love games - this is truly ironic.

Roman physicians, including Galen, Pliny and Celsus, also spoke about the healing effect of thermal springs. They tried to discover the connection between diseases and the chemical and physical properties of water from thermal springs.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, many of its structures began to decline. Naturally, this also affected the terma, since the growing Christianity had a negative attitude towards these places, considering them inappropriate.

In the Middle Ages, thermal springs were used only for medicinal purposes. And in the 13th century their scientific study began. Many scientists were interested in the properties and qualities of water: Michele Savonarola, Pietro d'Abano and Pietro da Eboli. The latter, in one of his treatises, described in detail the healing capabilities of 35 thermal springs in the vicinity of Pozzuoli. Gradually, from treatment centers, thermal springs began to again acquire the status of centers of recreation and social life, acquiring resort towns. Representatives of the upper classes of Italian society spent whole days at the thermal springs.

Nolly's plan showing Baths of Diocletian

The modern popularity of thermal springs began to gain momentum again in the post-war years. Recognition of the real health-improving effect of thermal baths made it possible to include them in the national sanitary system and thereby expand treatment methods for the entire population.

sources
http://blog.design-class.com.ua
http://www.uadream.com

Baths of Diocletian (Terme di Diocleziano)

Ancient Rome is a mysterious and surprisingly developed world. From a technical point of view, in his time he had no equal. Take, for example, the thermal baths, which were supplied with water through underground aqueducts (water pipelines). These were not just baths, but entire complexes. One of them is the Baths of Diocletian.

Historical background

The construction of the baths began in 298. In 303, they already rose in all their glory and were consecrated, receiving the name in honor of Diocletian. The structure was so huge that it could accommodate 3,000 people at the same time.

During the invasion of the Vandals and Goths, the Baths of Diocletian continued to partially function. But in 537, the invaders destroyed the aqueduct that supplied water to the baths, and devastation befell them. 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 the 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 Roman authorities decided to finally make these baths a monument 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, recreation rooms, rooms with cold baths, 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 there, which were demolished. Water entered the Baths of Diocletian 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 design of two previous baths - those of the emperors Trajan and Caracalla.

What can you see?

Today you can see the ruins of the main building from Republic Street. One of the asps has been preserved as the entrance to the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli, which Michelangelo converted from the central hall of the baths. Another part became the National Roman Museum. People simply call it the Thermal Baths Museum.

Several round halls (presumably 1-2) were rebuilt in 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 away from the National Roman Museum, which houses such masterpieces as:

• strong fighter;
• Throne of Ludovisi;
• Gallus killing his wife;
• Discus thrower, etc.

Useful information

How to get to the thermal baths? By metro – to the Republic station (Repubblica), then – 5 minutes on foot; to Termini station, and then 10 minutes on foot.

Visiting time: daily - 9:00-19:45, except Monday (this is a day off). The ticket office closes at 19:15.

Entrance ticket price: full adult – 7 euros.

Address: Rome, Via Enrico de Nicola, building 79.

For full or partial copying, an active link to the source is required.

Museum of the Baths of Diocletian is one of the four buildings that houses the National Roman Museum. Other places are as follows: Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, Palazzo Altemps, Balbi Crypt. Post about the museum of Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, where, through the museum route, you can relive history, myths and daily life in Rome.

Initially Baths of Diocletian were a colossal imperial-era thermal complex built between 298 and 306 AD, covering an area of ​​over 13,000 m2.

According to legend, the baths were built by Christians condemned to death. They accommodated more than 3,000 bathers at a time, approximately twice the number of people for which the Baths of Caracalla were designed. They took 10 years to build, compared to the 5 years it took to build the Baths of Caracalla. The thermal baths had three thousand baths and three spacious pools with clean, clear water.

During the Empire, the baths were open to men as well as women and children, and even a very modest fee of one quadrant was sometimes covered by the generosity of the emperor or some rich man, who could take upon himself the entire cost of visiting the baths for a period of one day to one year. The Romans went to the baths to meet others, to walk 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 to get cool in summer and warm in winter. Cold baths were located in the frigidarium - a cool room in the bathhouse; there was also a warm room, or tepidarium, and a heated room, calidarium, where there were warm baths and hot steam to induce sweating, as in our modern Turkish baths. The room was even hotter, laconic, and was used mainly by the sick. Heat was provided by a fierce fire under the floor, lit by slaves, using large quantities of wood.

Bathers could enjoy any or all of them in turn and in any other order. Now little remains of the baths' former glory, but they still excite our impressions. The same feelings overwhelm you when you see it.

Today it is the location of the National Roman Museum, founded in 1898. Its archaeological heritage is one of the richest in the world, coming from various collections and partly consisting of finds found in the baths. Within the thermal complex, Michelangelo skillfully placed the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli in the Renaissance style, which was desired by Pope Pius IV 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, altars of donations).

The branch of the museum in the Baths of Diocletian was designed to introduce the beginning of Roman history.

It contains an extensive epigraphic section demonstrating the emergence of the Latin language through texts written in various media dating back to the 8th century BC. until the 4th century AD

And the Baths of Trajan.
1.

This is what the baths looked like on the model.
2.

The model quite accurately corresponds to the plan of the thermal baths depicted in the ancient engraving.
3.

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.
4.

The decoration of the baths was also luxurious: marble cladding, unique mosaic floors, galleries with statues of gods and babbling fountains.
5.

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.
6.

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.
7.

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.
8.

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.
9.

Naiad Fountain [41.9030117N 12.4984825E]
In the last decade of his pontificate, Pope Pius IX commissioned and financed the reconstruction of the ancient Aqueduct of Marcius, which had been badly damaged by the Goths in the sixth century and had remained unused ever since. 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 large number 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 depicting Naiads: Nymph of the lakes holding a swan, Nymph of the rivers lying on the monster of the rivers, Nymph groundwater, lying on the back of a dragon, and the Nymph of the oceans riding on a seahorse.
11.

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.
12.

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.
16.

19. Collection of antique masks

Museum garden
21.

On the territory of the thermal baths in front of the entrance to the museum you can also see several very original sculptures.
31.

The halls of the museum display many ancient sculptures, tombstones, masks and other ancient exhibits.
34.

Great cloister
40.

In the center of the large cloister, among the green spaces, various animals are looking for something.
43.

Small cloister
45.

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. One at a time 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.
46.

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 astronomy. A separate post will be dedicated to it, which I will publish in the near future.
47.

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.
48.

The structure of the church's dome is similar to the Pantheon, but is significantly smaller in diameter (only 22 m).
49.

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.
50.

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.
52.

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.
53.

Burial of Johann Friedrich Oberbeck, leader of the Nazarenes, artist, graphic artist and illustrator.
54.

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.
55.

Statue of John Paul II a work by Oliviero Rainaldi entitled Conversazioni (conversations) installed on March 18, 2011. Behind the monument is the central bus station of Rome (Termini station).
56.

Finally, for a better understanding, I suggest watching a video with a three-dimensional model of the ancient baths of Diocletian.