Viva Rome!

The eternal City i.e. Rome is home to some of the famous communal baths showcasing the life and habits of ancient Romans. You have to take a tour of this historic attraction to witness life in times past due.

The Baths of Caracalla: History of Communal Bathing

Caracalla Baths are the second largest communal baths of Rome. They were built between 212 and 219 A.D. by Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, who was known by his famous nickname of Caracalla. The red-brick ruins of the Baths of Caracalla are situated southeast of the city center. The bath complex is huge spanning more than 27 acre housing bathing facilities with seats for more than 1600 people. In ancient times, the baths were fed by a branch of the Aqua Marcia aqueduct, which brought pure water to Rome from springs in the hills near Subiaco. The hills were at an approximate distance of 90 km away. The water flowed into a huge cistern which was divided into 18 separate chambers for easy maintenance. It had a total capacity of 80,000 cu. m. From here it went by gravity flow through pipes underneath the gardens to the main building. The baths remained functional until 537AD when Goths destroyed the aqueduct, cutting off the water supply.

Historical significance

The ritual of bathing in ancient Rome was a complicated and tedious process. It started with a hot bath in the calidarium. This was followed by the lukewarm tepidarium, followed by the cold frigidarium. This was completed by a swim in the natatio i.e. an open air swimming pool. The baths are considered historically relevant as they bear testimony to the excellent drainage and water distribution facility engineered by ancient Romans. A complicated distribution system carried the water directly to the cold pools or to boilers over wood fires where it was heated for the warm and hot baths. Outlets from each basin and in the floor of each room led to the drains, which ran below the level of the distribution pipes and took the waste water to the municipal drain in the valley. Both distribution and drainage pipes were housed in tunnels providing easy access for inspection and maintenance. A third network of tunnels was used to store the enormous amounts of wood required to fuel the furnaces.

Major Attractions

The complex was designed to be a multifunctional leisure center. It also housed gymnasiums, libraries, gardens, art galleries, restaurants and even brothels. Today these ruined decaying rooms with their marble covered floors and intricate provocative figurines adorning the walls form a major tourist attraction. Its marble seats, mosaic covered walls and floors as well as fountains and statues also add to the attraction. Another interesting feature for some tourists is the heated rooms in the main building of the bathing complex. These rooms were situated on the south-western side of the building. The ‘calidarium,’ is known as the hottest room projecting the building contours and consequently taking of the sun’s rays. Hollow terracotta tubes ran inside the walls to provide insulation and channel hot air.

Visiting the Caracalla baths

The best times of the year to visit are April, May, and late September through October. The heat and sweltering crowds could make your tour unbearable. Similarly, if you traveling from outside the country, it is best to avoid the August month. August month poses as the holiday month for the Italians. The Caracalla baths hold great attraction in the cooling months of September and October. The complex provides myriad fun and adventure opportunities for children. Usually, the bathing complex plays host to school children on field trips. The baths are open to the public on payment of a small charge, which does not apply to students or pensioners. Access is limited to certain areas to avoid damage to the mosaic floors.

Travel and fun

Getting to the complex is generally by bus or tram. It is better to explore the complex ruins on foot with aid of a street map. The complex is adorned with street signs which make it easy for navigation by tourists. The ruins now serve as modern gymnastic facility for many sport events. Cultural and musical concerts also find a place in this historic place. The baths clearly reflect the ingenuity and organization skill of ancient Rome city planners and politicians.