The Baths of Diocletian used to be the biggest of the various Terme of ancient Rome. The complex was built between the years 298 and 306 AD. Nowadays part of the baths is being used as one the seats of the Museo Nazionale Romano.
A brief history of the Diocletian Baths in Rome
The Baths of Diocletian were the largest bath complex in Rome and in the Roman world: they covered an area of 376 by 361 meters and could accommodate approximately 3,000 people. It is possible to get an idea of its immense lay-out by visiting the Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri church and by walking around the Piazza della Repubblica. The porticoed half of the Piazza follows the former semi-circular exedra of the Terme.
There were two rooms on each side of the exedra, one of which has been transformed in the Church of San Bernardo alle Terme.
The Terme consisted of a rectangular calidarium with three semi-circular niches, followed by the tepidarium and the pool, all on a central axis with rooms arranged symmetrically on each side. The rooms between the gymnasium and the basilica are now part of the Museo delle Terme.
The famous Octagonal Hall, now part of the Roman National Museum, is located at the cross-roads with Via Parigi. At the moment, it is being used as a museum for stolen art that was either returned voluntarily, or seized by the police forces of different countries.
The present location of the church is where the central space of the Terme, the Frigidarium, the basilica and part of the pool used to be.
The Terme stayed in use for more than 2 centuries, until the year 537, when the Goths sacked Rome, destroyed some of the aqueducts, and the water leading to the Terme was cut off.
Museo delle Terme di Diocleziano
The entrance to the actual museum is preceded by the so-called Garden of the Five Hundred, decorated with sarcophagi, statues and (fragments of) all kinds of architectural elements.
The most striking feature of this garden is a fountain with a huge krater (a large ancient Greek vase with two handles, used to mix water and wine) supported by six putti. The vase dates back to the Imperial period. In the 12th century, it was placed near the Basilica of the Santi Apostoli.
Michelangelo’s Cloister
The museum itself is located around a large courtyard, known as Cloister of Michelangelo. Like the Garden of the 500, the portico is filled with (parts of) statues, sarcophagi and architectural elements. Eight paths lead from the portico to a big central fountain.
The museum’s collection consists of a great many statues, sarcophagi and funerary trousseaus, found in areas in and around Rome.
The artworks are divided according to the locations where they were found: Within the Wall of Servius Tullius, along the Tiber, along the consular roads, etc.
There are many terracottas and there is also a section on the earliest history of the Latin peoples. The epigraphical section dates back to the first half of the 20th century.
Small courtyard
There is also a smaller courtyard (“Chiostro Piccolo”) to the left of the main one. The works of art under the portico of this one are mostly inscriptions.
Curiosities
What is not generally known, is that the Terme di Diocleziano gave their name to the main railway station Roma Termini.
Address, opening hours and admission
Address: Viale Enrico De Nicola, 79 – Rome (tel. +39 06 39967700 (Coopculture, for reservations) or 06 684851 (the museum itself)). Opening hours museum: Tuesdays to Fridays from 14.00 till 19.45; Saturdays and Sundays from 10.30 to 19.45. Closed: Mondays, January 1, December 25. Admission: 8 Euros; EU citizens age 18-25: 2 Euros; age 0-17: Free. Combi-ticket, to be used within one week from the date of purchase, Palazzo Massimo, Terme di Diocleziano, Crypta Balbi, Palazzo Altemps: 12 Euros; EU citizens age 18-25: 10 Euros; age 0-17: free. There maybe a surcharge in case of special exhibitions. MNR (Museo Nazionale Romano) Card: 25 Euros, unlimited entry for 1 year from the purchase date.
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