Baths of Caracalla

Among the most splendid monuments of ancient Rome is the architectural complex known as the Terme Antoninianae, or, as we call them today, the Baths of Caracalla. They are the most famous of all ancient Roman baths, built between 211 and 224 AD by the emperors Caracalla, Elagabalus and Alexander Severus. The Baths of Caracalla, officially named Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, from which Terme Antoninianae, were the largest bath complex in Imperial Rome and in the world.

The baths remained in operation for over three centuries and consisted of enormous buildings with high frescoed vaults covering the massive rooms. This gigantic structure, spanning eleven hectares, housed bathhouses that could accommodate more than 1,600 people at a time. In total, the baths could hold between 6,000 and 8,000 visitors per day.

Caracalla

Emperor Caracalla, son of Septimius Severus, married Plautilla, daughter of the praetorian prefect Plautianus, whom he had executed under the charge of conspiracy, envious as he was of his power. The Severan dynasty, in decline, sought support among different social classes, and the new baths were built near the Via Appia so that every visitor coming to Rome would immediately see them.

The emperor, nicknamed Caracalla after a Gallic tunic he used to wear, gained a terrible reputation, not least for killing his popular brother Geta. He is also known for his decision to grant citizenship to all free inhabitants of the Roman Empire, primarily to increase tax revenue.

Bathing in Roman Times

Since sanitation facilities were scarce in the city, the more than fifty public baths in Imperial Rome played a crucial role in Roman society. Not only did they improve citizens’ health and hygiene, but the baths were also places where Romans would gather daily to socialize, relax, and engage in conversation.

The bathing ritual followed a well-structured path, starting with a hot bath in the Calidarium, followed by the Tepidarium, then the Frigidarium, and concluding with a swim in the Natatio, a large open-air pool.

The central building of the complex measured 214 by 114 meters and consisted of four levels, two above ground and two below. It is still difficult not to be impressed by the imposing ruins, which remain standing at thirty meters high.

Wellness Center

The Baths of Caracalla were more than just a bathing center; they were essentially a modern multi-functional beauty farm. The complex also included lush gardens, gymnasiums, an athletic track, sports fields, massage rooms, saunas, and what we would today call a wellness center. Additionally, it housed libraries, restaurants, art galleries, two reading rooms, a hairdresser, perfumeries, music pavilions, a museum, and even brothels.

Everywhere, the floors were adorned with colorful mosaics depicting fish, seahorses, and cherubs. These mosaics were made from grey granite from Egypt, yellow marble from Numidia, green-veined marble from Karystos, and green and purple porphyry from Sparta. The external richness, with statues and gushing fountains surrounded by beautiful tiles, allowed anyone visiting the baths to experience the grandeur of the Empire.

Aqua Marcia

The Aqua Marcia aqueduct ensured a reliable water supply with a continuous flow. Beneath the main buildings, there were two levels: the upper level was for service and heating, while the lower level managed drainage. In the underground structures, hundreds of workers burned ten tons of wood daily to keep the water at the right temperature.

The baths remained fully operational until 537 AD, when Vitiges, King of the Ostrogoths, ordered the destruction of all the ancient aqueducts supplying water to Rome during the city’s siege.

The Ruins

Neglect, plundering, and an earthquake reduced this grand architectural complex to ruins. However, even in decay, the archaeological remains continue to impress visitors with their scale and magnificence. In 2012, a four-kilometer underground museum was opened beneath the Baths of Caracalla, providing a fascinating backdrop for displaying artifacts discovered on-site.

Large sculpted capitals, marble reliefs, and other ornaments that once decorated the opulent bath complex are now exhibited there. During the summer, the famous ruins of the Baths are transformed into colossal backdrops for grand opera performances. The Teatro dell’Opera di Roma relocates to the magnificent setting of the Baths of Caracalla.