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.

The city of Rome has to be slowly savored and cherished like a glass of wine – you need to plan and organize your touring activities before embarking on touring Rome. Choose the most popular and crowded tourist attraction first and begin your tour from there. This will give you time to enjoy the pace of the city which is an integral part of every tourist experience and the freedom to lounge and enjoy your tour.

Piazza Navona: Discovering the history

Technically speaking, Piazza Navona is a long shaped square ringed by steps and houses. In the glorious days of the Roman Empire, the Piazza used to serve as a stadium. It was called the ‘Circus Agonalis’ which stands for the literal translation of competition area. In the 15th century, the Piazza became the center of the city’s thriving market center and later came to be reputed as the Baroque architectural center.

Architectural and historical marvels

The Piazza market place was moved in 1869 and henceforth, the Piazza became the hosting site for Sunday feats, theatrical shows and horse races. The Piazza has three major manmade water attractions of an artificial lake and two impressive foundations sculpted by Giacomo della Porta. The fountains are called the Fontana di Nettuno built in 1574 and, the Fontana del Moro built in 1576. Originally designed by Bernini, the Piazza also has beautiful sculptures by Girolamo Rainaldi and by Bernini himself. It also holds a church designed by Pietro da Cortona.

Traveling and Sightseeing

Getting to the heart of the city, i.e. the Piazza Navona is usually by foot. As the Piazza is undergoing heavy restorations of its building and churches, admittance is free. Your best mode of traveling is getting to the street opposite the Piazza by bus or by train. People with disabilities prefer traveling by bus. Certain routed buses offer a one euro pass. The pass allows you to travel that entire day without any worry of travel cost. The area is always crowded with tourists all year round but international tourists prefer the seasonal time of late autumn in early October. A tourist is advised to dress appropriately – shorts and sleeveless clothing are frowned upon inside the Piazza churches.

Stay and have fun

Tourists usually view the Piazza as a fun area. It is considered romantic and adventurous. But one has to beware of pickpockets and, always travel in groups. As a tourist you will prefer to live in a nearby inn and prefer roadside eating. The area is dotted with many eateries and cyber cafes. Head for a Pizzeria and treat yourself to Italian food delights of kosher, ice cream, pizza and trippa. The Piazza also boasts of some vegetarian restaurants and wine shops. Bargaining forms the best possible method to buy any type of item in the Piazza. The Piazza has something for everyone. Piazza Navona is an extremely lively place with open air cafes around it. During the summer there are numerous artists who draw or paint members of the public for a fee. The place is crowded each day and there are often buskers and sometimes mimes to entertain. At Christmas time the piazza is filled with stalls selling figurines of all sizes and forms for cribs. It is an adequate spot for picnickers with safe drinking water from the fountains. The fountain water is safe fresh spring water. The fountains at Piazza run constantly offering you drinking water all round the clock.

Accommodation

Tourists who choose the Piazza as their first tourist stop usually look to stay near the sea. It provides the sounds of the exotic old world charm as well the hustle and bustle of the Piazza. Hotel Belvedere Century and Hotel Ping Pong provide modern and traditional facilities. Another option for the more daring and adventurous tourist would be camping. This is a cheap option and gives you freedom to choose your mode of sightseeing at your own pace. Happy Valley and Camping Tiber form the two popular camping sites of the city. Sightseeing in Rome is incomplete if you have not toured the Piazza on foot.

There is one place in Rome whose history predates that of the city itself. It is famous for its architecture, historical significance and sightseeing attractions.

The Palatine Hill – Place in History

Palatine Hill is the centermost of the famous Seven Hills of Rome. Technically speaking, the Palatine Hill is an archeological excavation site containing the ruins of several large villas that belonged to wealthy Roman families. Archaeological evidence suggests traces of inhabitation from the tenth century onwards. It is believed that this hill is the birth place of the glorious Roman Empire. Evidence argues that the twins Romulus and Remus were found in the Lupercal Cave by their four-legged shepherd mother, who raised them. Later, Romulus decided to build the city.

During the Republican era, Palatine Hill became the fashionable place to live. The hill offers splendid views. It rises to an incredible height of 230 feet towering the city. Great warriors, emperors and nobles built their palaces there. It is said that Roman noblemen such as Augustus, Cicero, and Marc Antony resided on the hill. During the Middle Ages, churches and convents were built on Palatine Hill. Later, the hill became home to Cardinal Alessandro Farnese, who also created an ornate botanical garden on top of the ruins.

Major Attractions

Palatine Hill houses ruins of ancient palaces and other buildings. The southern end of the hill contains the remains of the palace of the Roman emperor, Septimius Severus between 193 and 211AD. Close to the Palace lie the huge bath ruins of the emperor. The north section of the palace of Septimius Severus houses the stadium. This stadium was built together with the adjacent palace of Domitian. Domitian’s palace forms the largest, oldest and most domineering tourist attraction in the whole of the Palatine hill site. The palace was built in 81AD — between two crests after the tall crest called the Palatium was leveled and the ground used to level the hilltop. The palace consisted of two wings, a private one called the Domus Augustana and the public Domus Flavia. The house of Augustus, the Temple of Apollo and the temple of Cybele also form major hill attractions. The Farnese Garden was built by Cardinal Allessandro Farnese in 1550 by filling in the ruins of the palace of Tiberuis. It is the first-ever botanical garden of Rome.

Location of the hill

The Palatine hill is conveniently located between two of the city’s largest and most impressive tourist attractions of the Roman Forum and the Colessum. You can take advantage of this location site by purchasing a joint travel and fee ticket for the Colessum and the Palatine Hill at 11 euro. There is also another option. If you a leisurely tourist interested in art and architecture, you can now buy the 22 euro weekly pass for the Colessum and the Palatine Hill.  You get to spend the entire weekend exploring and traversing the two sites. It is better to navigate and see the various vivid attractions on foot using an audio guide.

Visiting the site

Though the hill is open to visitors at all times, tourists generally prefer the cool months of
autumn. It serves a tourist well to stroll on foot enjoying the various sights. Getting there by bus and then walking about is cheaper. It also provides you with the opportunity to savor the hustle and bustle of modern Rome. The hill has been fitted with convenient facilities for disabled elderly tourists allowing them to enjoy the uphill tour at a relaxed pace.

Eating at the Palatine Hill

Roadside eating is recommended. Closeted between the forum and the Colessum, the hill offers solace to many eateries spec aliasing in Italian cuisine. This can either be vegetarian or non-vegetarian. Prices are cheap and you get to embrace the ambience of historic Rome on a cool day. The hill’s ancient stadium now hosts many modern cultural events of plays and book review meetings.

Rome is a multifaceted city with fine dining, shopping and sightseeing opportunities. On a tour, you have to visit the old harbor city of Ostia Antica. It is impossible to miss it or bypass it as it lies right in the center of the city.

The what and why of Ostia Antica

Ostia Antica is an ancient port town. It is a fascinating but under-visited archaeological site. Ostia Antica was originally developed as a sea port, prior to the silting up of River Tiber’s estuary. Ostia increased in importance from the fourth century BC, becoming a major naval and trading base. As Rome’s port, the town had commercial significance and expanded in size and grandeur to match this position. However, during the third century AD, its place was taken by a new port at Fiumicino. Within the next couple of centuries Ostia had begun its decline. The ancient Roman city of Ostia was originally situated at the mouth of the river Tiber, some 30 kilometers to the west of Rome. The inward shift of the shoreline in the middle Ages also saw the city moving inland. Today, it lies somewhat four km inward to Rome. Ostia is the Latin word for ‘mouth’ and it was the mouth or center of salt deposits during the Middle and Bronze Ages. The city is also famous for its imprint of slavery and immigration on history rolls.

Historical Attractions

Much of the town stands in ruins and is heavily excavated. Major tourism sites include the Roman theatre which hosts summer plays nowadays, the spectacular Forum, a large baths complex and more than one Mithraeum. It also has impressive mosaics and columns everywhere. The statues of the ancient city have been taken way for safekeeping purposes. Other tourist highlights include the smaller domestic detail — the fishmonger’s marble slab, the bar with its wares illustrated on the wall, the communal public toilets, the residential villas with peaceful courtyards.

Getting there

Traveling to Ostia Antica is easy owing to the location of the ancient city. Ostia has its own station which makes it convenient for tourists. You have to board the suburban train line to Ostia from Piramide Station which lies on Metro Line B. You can use your normal Rome travel ticket. The Ostia Antica station is about twenty minutes from Rome. After coming out of the station, most tourists opt to traverse the port city on foot at leisure. There are neither entrance fees nor any schedule times which makes it fun for all tourists including children and disabled tourists. You merely need a street plan of the city which can be obtained on the train from the ticket kiosk.

Navigating through the city

Have a street map in hand and plan how you are going to tour the ancient port city. You have to enter the city by the Roman Gate. This can be described as a metal fence protecting the scant remains of a city gate. The city gates and city wall were built in the first century BC by orator Marcus Tullius Cicero and completed by Publius Clodius Pulcher. Now you have entered the city. After passing through the gate you are on the main street of Ostia. The main street is known as ‘the Decumanus Maximus.’ The street is paved with basalt blocks. A few shallow wheel-ruts can be seen between the gate and the theatre. This indicates that the transportation of goods was done by slaves or pack-animals, not with wagons. Behind the gate lies the city square. In ancient times the square was adorned by a statue. Today, only a plastic mould of the statue decorates the square. Two identical dedicatory inscriptions also decorate the gate.
Having fun at Ostia

This ancient city is suited to the whims of every tourist. Conveniently located with plenty of transport options, it lures many tourists to spend entire weekends. It has a large number of restaurants serving both fast foods, traditional and non-vegetarian fare. Camping and outdoor sort activity form a favorite past time of the young adventurous tourist folk. The city also has a wide collection of books and antiques. Your tour of Rome comes to an end with a proper and leisurely tour of Ostia.