Visit The Baths of Caracalla
A Practical Guide For Those Planning On Visiting The Baths of Caracalla
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The Baths of Caracalla
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Official Web Site - Baths Of Caracalla
The Baths Of Caracalla on paper sound an enticing proposition to include on your visit to Rome.
The prospect of viewing the bathing complex of ancient Rome that could accommodate 1600 bathers sounds fascinating - if you have a good imagination.
The picture right is a pretty typical scene from inside the Baths of Caracalla, if you were expecting water and well something that looks like a swimming pool you will be disappointed.
The baths provided two basic functions for the ancient Romans, most of the population of Rome lived in crowded tenements without running water or sanitary facilities and the baths provided much needed sanitisation facilities, and as a bonus a great opportunity to socialise and network at all levels.
In broad outline there were three large bathing rooms. A cold pool, a lukewarm pool and a hot pool. These baths which could hold up to 1600 bathers free to roam from one pool to another, meet up with friends and generally network. There were also other facilities to relax and indulge in. A bit like a golf club today?
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If there is one thing a visit to the Baths Of Caracalla will do is to emphasise the sheer size and scale of the facility, even today the ruins are massive.
The Baths of Caracalla came equipped with two libraries and extensive gardens to walk about and enjoy as well as a swimming pool for recreational use.
The gardens are still there to be enjoyed. For the actual baths you will need to use your imagination to visualise what it was like all those years ago, wrapping your imagination around the carcass of the remains of the vast complex in front of you.
There is no proper exhibition area and information boards are few and far between. Hiring an audio guides is thus worthwhile if you are to make sense of what you see before you. There is a small bookshop too.
Logistics Of Visiting The Baths of Caracalla
Getting There
The Baths of Caracala are south of the city centre along a corridor of ancient archeological remains/attractions that stretch from the Roman Forum / Colosseum to the Appian Way (Via Appia Antica) on the edge of Rome.
The Baths of Caracala are a 5 minute walk from the Circo Massimo Metro station. The Circo Massimo is also the nearest that most of the popular Rome hop on, hop off sightseeing buses stop, though the main bus stop for Circo Massimo used by the sightseeing buses is at a vantage point 5 minutes further walk away than the Metro Station.
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The Baths of Caracalla Gardens |
If you are independently minded the 118 Rome city bus runs about every 40 minutes daily, stopping outside the Baths of Caracalla. The bus passes Circo Massimo Metro Station for the short ride to the Baths of Caracalla.
The 118 bus continues to the Appian Way, about a further 15 minutes on the bus, a very nice combination, especially on a Sunday.
Ticketing & Entrance
The Baths of Caracalla have a small admission charge and are open daily for the full day except on a Monday when they are open in the mornings only. For current admission prices and exact opening times click through to the official web page at the top of this page.
There is just a small bookshop at the entrance gate where you can also hire an audio guide, (recommended if you want to make sense of what you are seeing).
There is just a small refreshment stall selling snacks outside the complex which is quite isolated, the nearest bars etc are back by Circo Massimo Metro station. There is minimal shade.
As the site is run by the Rome Authorities entrance can also be covered by the popular Roma Pass Ticket.
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