The Baths of Diocletian in Rome is a huge complex for water procedures. The Baths of Diocletian, Rome The Baths of Diocletian Our Lady of the Sign

And the terms of Trajan.
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This is what the terms looked like on the layout.
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The layout quite accurately corresponds to the plan of the thermae depicted in an old engraving.
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The thermal structures accommodated up to 3200 people; the gardens were decorated with fountains and pavilions. The water supply of the term was carried out through the Marcius aqueduct.
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The decoration of the term was also luxurious: marble lining, unique mosaic floors, galleries with statues of gods and murmuring fountains.
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Baths served not only as baths, they served as a place of rest, communication, a center of cultural and social life of the city. Entrance to them was allowed to all free citizens. Gardens with pavilions, fountains, marble sculptures were laid out on the territory of the complex, there were also meeting rooms, an amphitheater, a library and a gym.
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The Baths of Diocletian in its modern form is Republic Square, the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri was erected on the site of the central hall, some rooms are occupied by the National Roman Museum with a collection of Roman and Greek art. One of the round halls of the term was rebuilt into the Church of San Bernardo alle Terme.
Part of the ruins in 1889 was rebuilt as a museum.
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Thermal, or Diocletian's, window - a window that is divided into three sections by two vertical racks (multipliers) - the central one is wider and the side ones are narrower. Such windows are typical of the Roman baths of Diocletian. During the Renaissance, the great Italian architect Andrea Palladio revived thermal windows by reworking the antique form into the so-called Venetian window. Since then, the windows of Diocletian have firmly entered the arsenal of techniques of Palladianism and its successors.
8.

Republic Square
Until the 1950s, the square was called Exedra. This name is still in use among local residents. The old name comes from the large exedra of the terms of Diocletian - a semicircular deep niche with a half-dome. The form of the ancient exedra is repeated in the colonnade that limits the area from the southwest. Semicircular palazzos with porticos were erected in 1887-1898. designed by the architect Gaetano Koch. The façade of the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri overlooks the square. In the center of the square is the Naiad Fountain, created by the sculptor Mario Rutelli in 1901.
9.

Naiad Fountain [41.9030117N 12.4984825E]
In the last decade of his pontificate, Pope Pius IX commissioned and financed the reconstruction ancient aqueduct Marcia, which was badly damaged by the Goths in the sixth century, and has since remained unused. The construction of a new aqueduct was entrusted in 1868 to the company "Acqua Pia Antica Marcia SpA", which for a long time was one of the main suppliers of the city's water supply. The aqueduct was planned to end with a large fountain. The first version of the fountain was built in 1870, slightly different from where it is now. It was a simple large round pool, from which a large number of jets of water were knocked out, directed towards the center. The composition ended with five vertical jets of water, the central one being much higher. A few years later, in 1888, the architect Alessandro Guerriri completely changed appearance fountain. It began to consist of three concentric circular cups at different heights, placed on an octagonal base. There was an attempt to install four lions, but it was not successful, and the project was abandoned. The next project by the sculptor Mario Rutelli was built and opened in 1901. The naiad fountain was adorned with four naked female figures in bronze depicting naiads: the Nymph of the Lakes holding a swan, the Nymph of the Rivers lying on a monster of the rivers, the Nymph of the Underground Waters lying on the back of a dragon, and the Nymph of the Oceans riding a seahorse.
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In 1912, finally, the fountain received its final appearance with the installation in the center of the Glauco group - a naked male figure, capturing a dolphin and symbolizing the dominion of man over natural force. From the mouth of the dolphin comes the central jet of the fountain. The work was fully opened in 1914.
12.

National Museum of Rome [41.9030157N 12.4984127E]
The National Roman Museum was opened in 1889. The National Roman Museum includes the Thermae Museum, which houses a collection of famous ancient sculptures: "Throne of Ludovisi", "Discobolus", "Fist Fighter", "Gall Killing His Wife" and many others that were previously in the baths of Diocletian and Caracalla.
14. Entrance to the museum

The museum currently has one of the richest collections of ancient sculpture. In the halls of the ancient baths of Diocletian, collections of inscriptions and sculptures are presented.
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19. Collection of antique masks

Museum garden
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On the territory of the term in front of the entrance to the museum, you can also see some very original sculptures.
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Many ancient sculptures, tombstones, masks and other ancient exhibits are exhibited in the halls of the museum.
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large cloister
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In the center of a large cloister among green spaces, various animals look out for something.
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Small cloister
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The National Roman Museum today is a complex of five objects dedicated to Roman history: the Baths of Diocletian, Palazzo Massimo, Palazzo Altemps, Crypt Balbi and Museo Palatino. This museum is considered one of the best in terms of exposition, organization of work, and convenience for visitors. With one entrance ticket, you can visit 4 sites: Baths of Diocletian, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, Palazzo Altemps, Balbi crypt. The ticket is valid for 3 days.
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In 1563, by order of the pope, Michelangelo carried out the reconstruction of the ruins of the central hall of the baths. The ruins were turned into the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli. The church is very interesting, with in-depth study of astronomy. It will be dedicated to a separate post, which will be published in the near future.
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San Bernardo alle Terme [41.9036226N 12.4944699E]
San Bernardo alle Terme - monastery church of the Cistercian order, dedicated to St. Bernard. Initially, the church building may have served as a spheristerium (hall for playing ball), which is part of the Baths of Diocletian. In 1593, the niece of Pope Julius III bought this plot of land and donated it to the construction of the monastery. Its construction continued until 1598, the rebuilding of the church was completed in 1600.
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The structure of the dome of the church is similar to the Pantheon, but much smaller in diameter (only 22 m).
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Since 1670, the church has been a titular church, in the same year the first restoration work was carried out: the interior decoration was updated, an organ was built in, the choir was improved, a fresco depicting St. Bernard. The last restoration took place in 2000. In the niches of the church are 8 statues of saints by Camillo Mariani.
50.

51. Main altar

Altar of St. Bernard of Clairvaux
Altar of St. Bernard of Clairvaux is lavishly decorated with sculptures with ancient green columns. The altarpiece "The Vision of the Saints Flying in Ecstasy to Meet Jesus Being Taken Down from the Cross" by the Italian artist Giovanni Odazzi replaced another canvas by Thomas Laureti.
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Altar of St. Abbot Roberio
Altar of St. Abbot Roberio, a pupil of the Holy Order of the Cistercians, is decorated similarly to the altar of St. Bernard. The painting by Giovanni Odazzi depicts the Virgin and Child, St. John, St. Joseph and St. Roberto. Madonna puts a ring on her finger, a symbol of protection and devotion.
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Burial place of Johann Friedrich Oberbeck, leader of the Nazarenes, painter, graphic artist and illustrator.
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In addition, very close to the baths of Diocletian, you can see a couple of attractions.
Obelisk Dogali [41.9021613N 12.4974632E]
This is one of two obelisks brought from Heliopolis. The second is now installed in the Boboli Gardens in Florence. Initially, the monument was brought to the temple of Isis in Rome. Found in 1883 by Rodolfo Lanziani near Santa Maria sopra Minerva. Currently, the monument is dedicated in honor of the battle near Dogali. The location of the modern obelisk changed from the square in front of Termini Station to the current one in 1924.
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Statue of John Paul II work by Oliviero Rainaldi titled Conversazioni (conversations) installed March 18, 2011 . Behind the "back" of the monument is the central bus station Rome (Termini station).
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Finally, for a better understanding, I suggest watching a video with a three-dimensional model of the ancient baths of Diocletian.

Baths of Diocletian

Baths gave the name to the windows of Diocletian

Baths of Diocletian- the ruins of ancient Roman baths next to the modern Republic Square in Rome.

The construction of the thermal baths began in the year. In the year they were consecrated in honor of Diocletian. Baths with an area of ​​more than 13 hectares. built according to a plan similar to the terms of Caracalla and Trajan. The buildings accommodated up to 3 thousand people, the gardens were decorated with fountains and pavilions, there were also a library, meeting rooms and sports exercises on the territory.

The Baths of Diocletian in its modern form is the Republic Square (gardens), the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri was erected on the site of the central hall, some rooms are occupied by the National Roman Museum ( Museo Nazionale Romano, c) with a collection of Roman and Greek art, one of the round halls was rebuilt into the Church of San Bernardo alle Terme, part of another hall is located between Via Viminale and Piazza dei Cinquecento.

Links

Literature

  • Heinz-Joachim Fischer: Rom. Zweieinhalb Jahrtausende Geschichte, Kunst und Kultur der Ewigen Stadt. DuMont Buchverlag, Koln 2001, ISBN 3-7701-5607-2.

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The Baths of Diocletian

Ancient Rome is a mysterious and surprisingly developed world. From a technical point of view, at one time he did not know equal. Take at least the terms, which were provided with water through underground aqueducts (water pipes). These were not just baths, but entire complexes. One of them is the Baths of Diocletian.

Historical reference

The construction of the thermae began in 298. In 303, they already towered in all their glory and were consecrated, having received the name in honor of Diocletian. The structure turned out to be so huge that it could simultaneously accommodate 3,000 people.

During the invasion of the Vandals and the Goths, the Baths of Diocletian continued to partially function. But in 537, the invaders destroyed the aqueduct that supplied water to the baths, and they were devastated. In 1566, by order of the Pope, the baths began to be restored. Michelangelo took part in the work. He turned the central hall into the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli.

But then a whole period of desolation followed again. So baths gradually became a source of cheap material for the construction of other structures. The Baths of Diocletian suffered most of all in the period from 1586 to 1589, when a villa was being built for Pope Sixtus the Fifth.

In 1889, part of the Baths of Diocletian was turned into a museum. And at the beginning of the 20th century, the authorities of Rome decided to finally make these baths a monument ancient architecture and history. Today it houses the National Roman Museum.

Curious facts

The Baths of Diocletian had beautiful gardens. They were decorated with pavilions and fountains. The complex also included a gymnasium, meeting rooms, a library, a steam room, lounges, cold bath rooms, a swimming pool, and an amphitheatre. All this had a very rich decoration.

Modern excavations have established that the baths were not built from scratch - before that there were even more ancient buildings that were demolished. Water in the Baths of Diocletian came from one of the branches of the Marcius aqueduct.

architectural features

These baths are an example of ancient architecture. They occupied a fairly large area, covering over 13 hectares. The construction was based on the project of two previous terms - the emperors Trajan and Caracalla.

What can be seen?

Today you can see the ruins of the main building from Republic Street. One of the asps has been preserved as the entrance to the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli, which Michelangelo converted from the central hall of the term. Another part became the National Roman Museum. In the people it is simply called the Thermae Museum.

Several round rooms (presumably 1-2) were rebuilt into the Basilica of San Bernardo alle Terme. A fragment of another similar room can be seen between Viminale Street and Cinquecento Square. There are also unused parts of the Baths of Diocletian in the form of ruins. They are located a few streets from the National Roman Museum, which contains such masterpieces as:

  • chny fighter;
  • Throne of Ludovisi;
  • Gallus killing his wife;
  • Discobolus, etc.

Helpful information

How to get to the thermae? By metro - to the Republic station (Repubblica), then - 5 minutes on foot; to Termini station (Termini), and then 10 minutes on foot.

Visit time: daily - at 9:00-19:45, except for Monday (this is a day off). The box office closes at 19:15.

Price entrance ticket: full adult - 7 euros.

Address: Rome, street Enrico De Nicola (Via Enrico de Nicola), building 79.

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The Romans were specialists not only in military affairs and art. Built in the 3rd century AD, the Baths of Diocletian (Terme di Diocleziano) were truly the crowning creation of engineering thought of that time. The technical equipment of the baths was far ahead of its time. In terms of convenience and quality of execution, the terms can compete with modern SPA complexes of our time. The baths owe their name to the Roman emperor Gaius Aurelius Diocletian, the same one who at the end of his reign renounced power and retired to his small homeland to grow cabbage.

The area allotted for construction was 30 hectares. At the same time in the baths they could take water procedures over three thousand people for whom individual baths were installed and public steam rooms were equipped. Three large swimming pools have also been built for visitors. Water was supplied to the baths and pools in a cocurrent flow through a complex design of a water pipe connected to a branch of the Marcius aqueduct.

The townspeople (and the entrance was allowed to all free citizens) not only bathed, but also spent time culturally in the gardens with sculptures, attended performances in the amphitheater, read books in the library and did physical exercises in the gym.

Unfortunately, by the 7th century, the Baths of Diocletian fell into disrepair and gradually collapsed. In the middle of the 16th century, the great sculptor and architect Michelangelo built on the remains of the bath a new Renaissance style term and a monastery.

Therapeutic properties Therm

Bathing in warm water rich in mineral salts has been considered a healing event since ancient times. Hydrotherapy in thermal springs, according to Hippocrates, had a positive effect on the general physical condition of a person. Roman baths received special value due to the supply of water of various temperatures to the baths. Surprisingly, the heating of the water by the sun's rays was organized, while the water in the shaded areas remained cool. Roman physicians noted the special chemical and physical properties of spring water, which had a beneficial effect on the health of the Romans.

Grand Thermae today

Today, the Baths of Diocletian are an interesting architectural monument, divided into three parts, surrounded by gardens of Republic Square.

Part of the territory was given over to the main exposition of the National Roman Museum, or the Thermae Museum. The exposition of the museum is the walls of the term, antique sculptures (including the creations of Michelangelo himself) and other objects from life. ancient rome. Another part of the Baths of Diocletian was rebuilt into the Basilica of San Bernardo alle Terme. The rest of the buildings in the form of ruins are left to modern tourists visiting Rome for study and admiration.

Travel and visiting conditions

The baths are located on Via Enrico de Nicola, house number 79. The best way to get to the thermae and the museum - use the Roman metro. You need to get off at the Republic (Repubblica) or Termini (Termini) stations, then follow the signs to walk a few hundred meters. Another way of travel: buses No. 82, 61, 62, 60, 492 to the Cernaia stop.

Entrance for foreigners is paid, tickets are sold at the box office. The cost of getting acquainted with the terms is 8.5-12 euros, depending on the number of sights to see. For a maximum cost of 12 euros, tourists get the opportunity to explore Thermae in full within a few days. Visitation for tourists is allowed on all days except Monday, from 9:00 to 19:45, ticket offices close half an hour before closing time.

Not far from the term is a baroque church.

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The baths of Diocletian, whose construction was completed in 303 AD, occupied an area of ​​13 hectares and could simultaneously accommodate 3,000 people. In addition to pools with hot and cold water, halls for philosophical debates, a library, an amphitheater, and gardens with fountains and pavilions were arranged here.

Today, little remains of the rich interior decoration of the premises, but still the Baths of Diocletian were lucky: their ruins were transformed into such masterpieces of architecture as the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, built by Michelangelo, and the church of San Bernardo alle Terme. Other restored premises were transferred to the Roman national museum, whose exposition contains an excellent collection of antique sculptures.

Helpful information

Where are the Baths of Diocletian

The address of the Baths of Diocletian (original name - Terme di Diocleziano) is as follows: Viale E. de Nicola, 79, Rome, Italy.

How to get to the Baths of Diocletian

The Baths of Diocletian are located on Enrico De Nicola Street, building No. 79. The landmark is the Termini railway station - the entrance to the Baths is just opposite it. The easiest way to get here is by metro, line T.

Working hours of the Diocletian thermae

The baths open at 9:00 and close at 19:45. Day off - Monday.

Entrance ticket price