Baths of Caracalla

The Baths of Caracalla are an ancient Roman thermal complex in Rome, Italy, extending across a wide site with tall brick walls, vaulted ceilings, and fragments of mosaic floors. The grounds include the main bathing halls as well as underground passages that once supplied the heating and water system.

The emperor ordered construction between 212 and 216 AD to provide the population with a public bathhouse. The complex remained in operation until the sixth century before being abandoned after the aqueducts fell into disrepair.

The name comes from the emperor who commissioned the construction, while today the structure serves as a park where visitors walk among the preserved walls. The complex shows how public bathhouses in ancient Rome functioned as social meeting points and shaped the daily lives of residents.

The site opens Tuesday through Sunday and is accessible across much of its area, allowing wheelchair users to reach most sections. It is advisable to wear sturdy shoes, as the ground is uneven and many steps connect the different levels.

Beneath the ruins lies an extensive network of tunnels and rooms that slaves and workers once used to transport wood and coal and to operate the furnaces. In one of these underground chambers stands a large mithraeum, a sanctuary dedicated to a secret cult religion.

Location: Roma Capitale

Inception: 216

Creator: Caracalla

Accessibility: Dostępne dla wózków inwalidzkich

Fee: Yes

Charge: 8 EUR

Operator: Ministero della cultura

Address: Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00153 Roma RM, Italy

Opening Hours: Wtorek-Niedziela 10:00-19:15

Phone: +39065717451

Email: ssba-rm@beniculturali.it

Website: https://coopculture.it/heritage.cfm?id=6

GPS coordinates: 41.88026,12.49276

Latest update: December 15, 2025 09:49