Rome - Baths of Caracalla

The Baths of Caracalla in Rome, Italy, were the second largest Roman public baths, or thermae. They were named after the emperor Caracalla who reigned from 211-217. His father Septimius Severus commissioned the baths and after his death the project was completed by his son Caracalla in 216 AD. Roman bathhouses included three fundamental bathing rooms, frigidarium (a cold pool), tepidarium (a lukewarm pool) and calidarium (a hot pool). These baths could have held up to 1600 bathers who were free to move from one pool to the other at their leisure. The walls and floor of both the tepidarium and calidarium used underfloor heating. They were positioned closest to the furnace. The frigidarium was located in the middle of the building and flanked by two massive areas called Palaestra. These were gymnastic areas that were open to the sky. It was in the Palaestra that games and competitions were held, or simply an area to run and workout. The Natatio at the back of the building was an 80m long pool and reserved for recreational swimming activities. The Baths of Caracalla came equipped with two libraries and extensive gardens to walk about and enjoy.
Throughout its history the spa was reconstructed several times before finally closing altogether in 537 AD. Today the site is used for concerts.

The Baths of Caracalla in Rome, Italy, were the second largest Roman public baths, or thermae. They were named after the emperor Caracalla who reigned from 211-217. His father Septimius Severus commissioned the baths and after his death the project was completed by his son Caracalla in 216 AD. Roman bathhouses included three fundamental bathing rooms, frigidarium (a cold pool), tepidarium (a lukew…  (read more)

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