Baths of Diocletian (Terme di Diocleziano)
Ancient Rome is a mysterious and surprisingly developed world. From a technical point of view, at one time he knew no equal. Take, for example, the thermal baths, which were provided with water through underground aqueducts (water pipelines). These were not just baths, but whole complexes. One of them is the Baths of Diocletian.
Historical reference
The construction of the thermal baths began in 298. In 303, they already stood in all their glory and were consecrated, receiving the name in honor of Diocletian. The structure turned out to be so huge that it could simultaneously accommodate 3000 people.
During the invasion of the Vandals and the Goths, the Baths of Diocletian continued to function partially. But in 537, the invaders destroyed the aqueduct through which water was supplied to the baths, and they were devastated. 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 during 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 authorities of Rome decided to finally make these baths a monument ancient architecture and stories. 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, lounges, halls 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 that were demolished. The Baths of Diocletian received water 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 project of the two previous terms - the emperors Trajan and Caracalla.
What can you see?
Today you can see the ruins of the main building from the side of Republic Street. One of the snakes has been preserved as the entrance to the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli, which Michelangelo converted from the central hall of the thermae. Another part became the National Roman Museum. People call it simply the Museum of Thermal Baths.
Several circular rooms (presumably 1-2) were rebuilt into 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 before the National Roman Museum, which contains such masterpieces as:
- a good fighter;
- Throne of Ludovisi;
- Gallus killing his wife;
- Discus thrower and so on.
Useful information
How to get to the term? By metro - to the station Republic (Repubblica), then - 5 minutes on foot; to Termini station, and then 10 minutes on foot.
Visit time: daily - at 9: 00-19: 45, except Mondays (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.
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Therms Museum of Diocletian is one of the four buildings that house the National Roman Museum. Other places are as follows: Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, Palazzo Altemps, Balbi's Crypt... Post about the Museum of Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, where, through the route of the museum, you can relive history, myths and everyday life in Rome.
Initially Baths of Diocletian was a colossal imperial thermal complex built between 298 and 306 AD, which covered an area of more than 13,000 m2.
According to legend, the baths were built by Christians condemned to death. They accommodated over 3,000 bathers at a time, roughly twice the number of people for which the Baths of Caracalla were designed. Their construction took 10 years, compared to 5 years that were spent on the construction of the Caracalla baths. The thermal baths had three thousand baths and three spacious swimming pools with clean, transparent water.
During the time of the empire, the baths were open to men, as well as to women and children, and even a very modest payment in one quadrant was sometimes covered by the generosity of the emperor or some rich man who could take on the entire cost of visiting the baths for a period from one day to one year. The Romans went to thermal baths to meet others, take walks and chat, some to play ball and other games, others to experience more intense physical activity such as wrestling, or watch others do it, and of course get some coolness. in summer and warm in winter. Cold baths were in the frigidaria — the cool room in the bathhouse; there was also a warm room, or tepidarium, and a heated room, a calidarium, where there were warm baths and hot steam to induce perspiration, as in our modern Turkish baths. The room was even hotter, laconic, used mostly by patients. The heat was provided by a furious fire under the floor, kindled by slaves, using a lot of wood.
Bathers could enjoy any or all of them in turn and in any other order. Now little remains of the former glory of the thermal baths, but they still excite our impressions. The same feelings are overwhelmed at the sight.
Today it is the seat of the Roman National Museum, founded in 1898. His archaeological heritage- one of the richest in the world, it comes from various collections, and partly consists of finds found in the baths. On the territory of 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, altar of donations).
The branch of the museum in the Baths of Diocletian was conceived to familiarize with the beginning of Roman history.
It contains an extensive epigraphic section showing the emergence of Latin thanks to texts written in various media, dating back to the period from the VIII century BC. until the 4th century A.D.
Baths of Diocletian ( Terme di Diocleziano) were built between 298 and 306, becoming the pinnacle of engineering of their time, and represented a colossal thermal complex with an area of more than 13,000 square meters. meters, the largest ever in Rome. According to legend, Christians condemned to death were engaged in their construction.
The terms occupied the space between, Viminal and. Their size can be estimated by walking around the objects built in their place. This is the basilica, the National Roman Museum, the basilica. Main station Rome, Termini, is also named after the thermal baths of Diocletian.
Thermal structures were located in a fenced artificial platform. They included fountains, pavilions, libraries, meeting rooms. In the center of the complex were the baths themselves, built according to the standard plan that had become by that time - the central axis with symmetrically located rooms.
1 - Caldarium, 2 - Tepidarium, 3 - Phrigidarium, 4 - Basin, 5 - Palaestra, 6 - Main entrance, 7 - Exedra The simple, marble-like plaster facades of the thermal baths were enlivened by sparse mosaic panels at the entrances. Such simplicity of decorative decoration and a gradual increase in volume towards the central hall emphasized the immensity of the complex and distinguished it from religious buildings. The absence of curvilinear rooms, and, consequently, a variety of forms of interiors is the influence of the East.
The Baths of Diocletian accommodated more than 3000 visitors at a time. There were 3000 individual baths and three swimming pools with the purest water... Cold baths were located in the frigidarium, warm ones in the tepidarium, and hot ones in the caldarium. The hottest room - the laconic - was used mainly by the sick. The heat was created by fire under the floor, supported by slaves. Solar heat was also used to heat the water. Water came through a branch from the Marcius aqueduct.
The baths were open to all residents, including women and children, and are completely affordable. But even a modest entrance fee was often covered by the generosity of the emperor or some rich person, who took upon himself the cost of visiting the baths by citizens for a period of one day to a year.
Visitors came to the baths not only to wash. All kinds of entertainment, feasts and other events were held within their walls. Here, for example, there was a library in which philosophical debates were held, and in the gymnasiums one could engage in sports and physical exercises. In addition, it was simply possible to get warm here in winter and cool in summer.
The complex functioned until the 6th century and began to fall into desolation and collapse with the arrival of the Goths, which blocked the aqueducts to deprive the Romans of water. And only in the 16th century, under the leadership of the great 87-year-old sculptor and architect Michelangelo, on the ruins of the tepidarium, with the preservation of its walls, the basilica was built Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri,named so in honor of the Christian martyrs who died during the construction of the thermal baths.
Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri A number of thermal premises became part of the museum, and one of the round lobbies was transformed into another basilica -San Bernardo alle Terme.Remains of another such lobby can be seen between Via Viminale and Piazza dei Cinquecento.
Basilica of San Bernardo alle Terme The decision to create the National Roman Museum was made in 1889. His department in the Baths of Diocletian was conceived to familiarize with the beginning of Roman history.The exposition of the museum is the walls of the baths themselves, antique sculptures, household items, weapons of the ancient Romans, Etruscans and other peoples inhabiting the Apennine Peninsula. The rarest exhibits are sarcophagi of ancient and Christian Rome. An extensive epigraphic section demonstrates the emergence and development of the Latin language in various carriers during the 8th century BC. - 4th century AD
National Museum Rome is one of the main centers of the historical and artistic culture of a united Italy. There is a stunning collection of ancient sculptures, mosaics, frescoes, coins. The museum is not popular with tourists, but in vain.
National Museum of Rome, photo by Richard Mortel
The National Roman Museum (Museo Nazionale Romano) is a complex of four sites dedicated to Roman history:
- Palazzo Massimo,
- Balbi's Crypt.
He is one of best museums on the arrangement of the exposition, organization of work, convenience for visitors. The National Museum of Rome was established in 1889. It brought together numerous artifacts from the ancient period. The basis of the collection is the collection of the Kircheriano Museum, to which the collection of Villa Ludovisi was transferred in 1901. At first, all the exhibits were located in the premises of the former monastery on the territory of the Terme of Diocletian. In 1990, the museum was reformed, and the collection was dispersed across 4 sites. Today the National Museum has one of the richest collections of antique sculptures.
Palazzo Massimo
Balbi's Crypt
Baths of Diocletian, photo by HEN-Magonza
The Baths of Diocletian (Terme di Diocleziano) are the ruins of ancient Roman baths not far from. They were erected in 298 - 305. In 537 the Goths destroyed the aqueduct and the baths ceased to exist. In 1561 Pius IV commissioned Michelangelo to reconstruct the territory of the thermal baths. The Caldarius was rebuilt into the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri; the building of a Cartesian monastery appeared. Since 1889, some of the premises of the Baths of Diocletian have been occupied by historical part the collection of the National Museum of Rome with a collection of Greek and Roman art. On three floors, there are various artifacts that tell about the development of the Roman state since ancient times. The halls display collections of inscriptions and sculptures.
The address of the Baths of Diocletian: Viale Enrico de Nicola, 76, 00185 Roma,
Website: www.coopculture.it.
Palace Massimo
Mosaic, photo by David Morgan-Mar
Frescoes from Villa Libya, photo by Devon D'Ewart
Palazzo Massimo alle Terme was built in 1883-1887. by architect Camilo Pistrucci. The numismatic collection is located in the basement. Two floors of the palace are occupied by a collection of antique sculptures, on the third - mosaics and antique paintings. The frescoes on which trees, flowers and birds are painted from the winter triclinium from the villa of Augustus' wife, Libya, are remembered. The frescoes of Villa Farnezina are considered the pride of the museum. There are sarcophagi in the halls.
Seated boxer, photo @@@@@
"Seated Boxer" - one of the masterpieces, a statue of the Hellenistic era of the 1st century. In addition to artistic merit, it is an example of metalworking.
Massimo Palace address: Largo di Villa Peretti, 2, 00185 Roma,
Website: www.museonazionaleromano.beniculturali.it.
Altemps Palace
Palazzo Altemps, photo by mctl
In the Palazzo Altemps there are collections of art objects: the collection of Cardinal Ludovisi, consisting of 104 sculptures from the antique period; Egyptian collection, collections of Princes Mattei and Austrian Cardinal Altemps.
The Altemps Palace was built according to the project of Melozzo da Forli for Girolamo Riario in the 15th century. on the Champ de Mars, next to
Throne of Ludovisi, photo edk7
The throne from the Ludovisi collection is a masterpiece Greek art V century It was part of the altar of the Temple of Aphrodite at Locri. On the central bas-relief of the throne, we see Aphrodite being born from the foam of the sea.
Hall with the Pergamon sculptural group "Gall's Suicide", photo by M.Pardy
Gall Ludovisi is a marble copy of the bronze group of a large triumphal monument erected by Attal I in the Pergamon temple of Athena c. 220-230 biennium Gallus kills himself and his wife. The sculpture is made with detailed detail and expression.
Sarcophagus "Grande Ludovisi", photo by GianJames
Another masterpiece of the Ludovisi collection is the "Grande Ludovisi" sarcophagus (2nd-3rd centuries), its height is 1.5 m.
Altemps Palace Address: Piazza di Sant'Apollinare, 46, 00186 Roma,
Website: www.museonazionaleromano.beniculturali.it.
Balbi Crypts, photo by Christopher Mendes
The Crypta Balbi exposition contains archaeological exhibits and is dedicated to the history of the development of Rome.
Address of Crypt Balbi: Via delle Botteghe Oscure, 31, 00186 Roma,
Website: www.museonazionaleromano.beniculturali.it.
Working hours
TUE-SUN from 09:00 to 19:45;
Mon day off.
Tickets
Entrance to one of the 4 museums - € 10.00; concessional - € 5.
If there is an exhibition in the museum, then the ticket costs - € 13.00; concessionary - € 8.
The combined ticket includes admission to all museums (Baths of Diocletian, Massimo and Altemps palaces, Balbi crypt) and is valid for 3 days.
The total cost of the combined ticket is € 12.00; concessionary - € 6.
If exhibitions are held, the combined ticket costs € 15.00; concessionary - € 9.
At the time of buying online ticket on the website, the cost increases by € 2.
Admission is free up to 18 years old.
Every first Sunday of the month - admission is free.
Buy tickets online in advance:
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And the baths of Trajan.
1.
This is how the terms looked on the layout.
2.
The layout quite accurately corresponds to the plan of the term shown in the old engraving.
3.
Thermal buildings accommodated up to 3200 people; the gardens were decorated with fountains and pavilions. The thermal water supply was carried out through the Marcius aqueduct.
4.
The decoration of the thermal 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 rest, communication, a center of cultural and social life of the city. All free citizens were allowed to enter them. On the territory of the complex were laid out gardens with pavilions, fountains, marble sculptures, there were also meeting rooms, an amphitheater, a library and a gymnasium.
6.
The Baths of Diocletian in its modern form is the Republic Square, the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri was erected on the site of the central hall, some premises are occupied by the National Roman Museum with a collection of Roman and Greek art. One of the round rooms of the thermal baths was rebuilt into the Church of San Bernardo alle Terme.
Part of the ruins in 1889 was rebuilt as a museum.
7.
Thermal, or Diocletianovo, window is a window that is divided by two vertical pillars (mullions) into three sections - 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 the thermal windows by reworking the antique form into the so-called Venetian window. Since then, the windows of Diocletian have become part of the arsenal of the techniques of Palladianism and its successors.
8.
Republic Square
Until the 1950s, the square was called Exedra. This name is still used today among local residents... The old name comes from the large exedra of the Diocletian's baths - a deep semicircular niche with a half-dome. The shape of the antique exedra is repeated in the colonnade that borders the area from the southwest. The semicircular palazzo with porticoes was erected in 1887-1898. designed by architect Gaetano Koch. The square overlooks the façade of the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri. In the center of the square is the Naiad Fountain, created by the sculptor Mario Rutelli in 1901.
9.
Fountain naiad [41.9030117N 12.4984825E]
In the last decade of his pontificate, Pope Pius IX ordered and financed the reconstruction of the ancient aqueduct of 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 commissioned in 1868 by the company "Acqua Pia Antica Marcia SpA", which for a long time was one of the main suppliers of the city's water supply. 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 where it is now. It was a simple large circular pool, from which a large number of jets of water poured out, 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 appearance fountain. It began to consist of three concentric circular cups at different heights, placed on an octagonal base. An attempt was made to install four lions, but it was unsuccessful and the project was abandoned. The next project, by sculptor Mario Rutelli, was built and opened in 1901. The naiad fountain was adorned with four nude female bronze figures depicting naiads: the nymph of the lakes holding a swan, the nymph of the rivers lying on the monster of rivers, the nymph of groundwater lying on the back of a dragon, and the nymph of the oceans riding on a seahorse.
11.
In 1912, the fountain finally got its final appearance with the installation in the center of the Glauco group - a nude male figure capturing a dolphin and symbolizing man's dominion over natural power. The central stream of the fountain emerges from the dolphin's mouth. The work was completely 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 Therme Museum, which houses a collection of famous antique sculptures: "Throne of Ludovisi", "Discobolus", "Fist Fighter", "Gallus Killing His Wife" and many others that were previously located in the Baths of Diocletian and Caracalla.
14. Entrance to the museum
Today the museum has one of the richest collections of antique sculptures. In the halls of the ancient baths of Diocletian, collections of inscriptions and sculptures are displayed.
16.
19. Collection of antique masks
Museum garden
21.
On the territory of the baths in front of the entrance to the museum, you can also see several very original sculptures.
31.
The halls of the museum exhibit many ancient sculptures, tombstones, masks and other ancient exhibits.
34.
Big cloister
40.
In the center of the large cloister, among the green spaces, various animals are looking out for something.
43.
Small cloister
45.
The National Roman Museum today is a complex of five sites dedicated to Roman history: Baths of Diocletian, Palazzo Massimo, Palazzo Altemps, Crypta Balbi and the Palatino Museum. This museum is considered one of the best in terms of the arrangement of the exposition, 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.
46.
In 1563, by order of the pope, Michelangelo reconstructed the ruins of the central bathhouse. The ruins have been 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 devoted 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 Cistercian monastery church dedicated to St. Bernard. Initially, the building of the church may have served as a spheristerium (ballroom), which is part of the Baths of Diocletian. In 1593 this piece of land was bought by the niece of Pope Julius III and donated for the construction of the monastery. Its construction lasted until 1598, the reconstruction of the church was completed in 1600.
48.
The structure of the dome of the church is similar to the Pantheon, but much 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: renewed interior decoration, the 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. The 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 "A vision of saints who fly in ecstasy to meet Jesus being removed 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 pupil of the Holy Order of the Cistercians, 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, Nazarene leader, painter, graphic artist and illustrator.
54.
In addition, a couple of attractions can be seen very close to the Baths of Diocletian.
Obelisk Dogali [41.9021613N 12.4974632E]
This is one of the 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 to the Battle of Dogali. The location of the modern obelisk changed from the square in front of Termini train station to the current one in 1924.
55.
Statue of John Paul II Oliviero Rainaldi's work titled Conversazioni (conversations) set on March 18, 2011. Behind the "back" of the monument, the central bus station 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.
