Baths of Caracalla

Baths of Caracalla
Latin: Thermae Antoninianae
The baths as viewed from the south-west. The caldarium would have been in the front of the image
Baths of Caracalla is located in Rome
Baths of Caracalla
Baths of Caracalla
The location of the baths in Rome during Antiquity
Map
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Alternative nameItalian: Terme di Caracalla
LocationRome, Italy
RegionRegio XII Piscina Publica
Coordinates41°52′46″N 12°29′35″E / 41.87944°N 12.49306°E / 41.87944; 12.49306
TypeThermae
Part ofAncient Rome
Area100,000 m2 (1,100,000 sq ft)
Volume8,000,000 L (1,800,000 imp gal; 2,100,000 US gal) (baths' waters)[1]
Height40 m (130 ft)[1]
History
BuilderCaracalla
MaterialMarble, pozzolana, lime, tuff, basalt
Foundedprobably 212-216/217 (212-216/217) AD
Abandonedcirca 537 (537) AD
PeriodsImperial
Site notes
Conditionin ruins
Public accessLimited
Architecture
Architectural stylesAncient Roman
Official nameBaths of Caracalla
TypeCultural, artistic, historical, architectural, religious
Criteriai, ii, iii, iv,
Historic Centre of Rome...
List of ancient monuments
in Rome

The Baths of Caracalla (Italian: Terme di Caracalla) in Rome, Italy, were the city's second largest Roman public baths, or thermae, after the Baths of Diocletian. The baths were likely built between AD 212 (or 211) and 216/217, during the reigns of emperors Septimius Severus and Caracalla.[2] They were in operation until the 530s and then fell into disuse and ruin.

Both during and since their operation as baths, they served as inspiration for many other notable buildings, ancient and modern, such as the Baths of Diocletian, the Basilica of Maxentius, the original Pennsylvania Station in New York City, Chicago Union Station and the Senate of Canada Building. Artworks recovered from the ruins include famous sculptures such as the Farnese Bull and the Farnese Hercules.

Today the Baths of Caracalla are a tourist attraction.

  1. ^ a b Dowson, Thomas (22 November 2012). "Going Underground at the Baths of Caracalla - Archaeology Travel". Archaeology Travel. Archived from the original on 28 August 2016. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  2. ^ Scarre, Chris (1999). Scarre, Chris (ed.). The Seventy Wonders of the Ancient World: The Great Monuments and How They Were Built (1st ed.). London: Thames & Hudson. p. 178. ISBN 9780500050965.