BATHS OF CARACALLA
VIALE DELLE TEREME DI CARACALLA
Although they are in ruins today, the magnificent Baths of Caracalla were once the second largest public baths in Rome. Built in the early years of the 3rd century CE, the construction workers were prisoners of war captured during Septimus Severus’s Scottish campaign, and the scale of the site is testament to their toil.
The baths were an engineering marvel and offered a choice of tepid, cold or warm water as well as an Olympic-sized swimming pool. The bathhouse was served by a purpose-built aqueduct – the Aqua Antoniniana.
Nowadays the baths are a hugely popular tourist attraction and cultural celebrations and concerts are regularly held among the ruins, including the summer operatic programme of the illustrious Teatro dell’opera di Roma.
The Baths of Caracalla are open 9am to 6.30pm Tuesday to Sunday, and 9am to 2pm on Monday. Adult admission is 6€.