Traces of the emperors: Baths of Caracalla and Colosseum

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The Caracalla Baths

Also known as the Thermae Antonianae, the Caracalla Baths are one of the largest and best-preserved examples of an ancient public bath complex. Constructed under the auspices of the Emperor Caracalla in the southern part of the city, the building was completed in 216 A.D. and exhibits the rectangular plan typical of Imperial spa centers. The baths themselves were not simply a place for bathing, sport and health, they were also a place of study and relaxation. Access to the heart of the building was through one of four porticos on the north-east face. The various parts of the spa are found in sequential order around the center of the structure: the "Calidarium" (hot plunge bath), the "Tepidarium" (warm bath with radiant heat), the "Frigidarium" (cold pool), and the "Natatio" (open air swimming pool).

There are also other zones and areas to be found around the two gymnasiums. The Caracalla Bath complex is one of those rare ancient examples in which, albeit only in part, it is possible to reconstruct something of the internal decoration. Written manuscripts refer to enormous marble columns, flooring made of colored marble, mosaics of glass and marble on the walls, painted stuccos and hundreds of statues located in niches and placed centrally in the rooms themselves. The water system was made possible by the construction of a special duct from the main aqueduct called the Aqua Antoniana. Throughout its history the complex was reconstructed several times before finally closing altogether in 537 A.D.

• 09:00 am - 4:30 pm from Monday to Friday

Closed:

• January 1, December 25

The ticket office closes an hour before the site.

The COLOSSEUM is probably the most famous monument in the world. With its height of 48 meters (157 feet), the colossal elliptical structure has fascinated humans throughout history.
Construction of the Colosseum was begun under Vespasian as a symbol of the grandeur of the Roman Empire. It was inaugurated by Emperor Titus in the year 80 AD. The popular name of "Colosseum" is due to a statue ("colosso") of Nero once situated next to the arena. The original name of this ancient Roman sports arena, the largest arena of its kind, is the Amphitheatrum Flavium.

The exterior borrows elements from Greek architecture. Every arch is framed by columns. From the bottom to the top, the columns are Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. The attic is decorated with Corinthian pilasters. Here, small windows once alternated with bronze plaques. Marble and metal were taken from the facade and interior of the Colosseum for use in later buildings.

The design of the Colosseum is a triumph of functional planning. The Colosseum consisted of four floors. It stood 160 feet high with four stories of windows, arches, and columns. It could easily accommodate as many as 50,000 spectators who entered through the 76 gates on the ground level. Two of the entrances were used by Emperor Titus and two for the gladiators. Barrel-vaulted corridors gave access to tiers of seats. The spectators were seated by rank with the topmost seats reserved for women and children.

The basement level, now exposed, was covered with a wooden floor strewn with fine sea sand. The level underneath contained elaborate corridors, service rooms, elevators, gladiatorial barracks, and rooms for wild beasts. During the first ten years of its existence, the stadium was filled with water and used for mock naval battles called Naumachie.

Most shows lasted all day beginning with comedy contests and exotic animal shows in the morning and professional gladiator events in the afternoon.

The ROMAN FORUM was the center of political, commercial, and judicial life in ancient Rome. “Forum” was the name the Romans gave to the central square of the urban settlement – this busy, crowded place was in many ways similar to the pulsing center of a modern city. Here the masses would flock to see the meetings of the orators, attend criminal trials, and discuss internal politics or the latest military campaigns, or quite simply to comment on the games or run races (an activity the Romans particularly enjoyed). The largest buildings were the basilicas, where legal affairs were addressed. According to the playwright Plautus, the area teemed with "lawyers and litigants, bankers and brokers, shopkeepers and strumpets, good-for-nothings waiting for a tip from the rich.”

As Rome's population boomed, the forum became too small. Julius Caesar built a new one in 46 BC, setting a precedent that was followed by emperors from Augustus to Trajan. As well as the Imperial Forum, emperors also erected triumphal arches to themselves, and just to the east Vespasian built the Roman's entertainment center, the Colosseum. The valley of the Forum followed the course of a stream by the name of Velabrum, which had eroded the bank of volcanic tufa meandering between the Palatine and Capitoline hills toward the Tiber.

The area around the Forum was also home to markets, shops, and taverns. You could also find the typical Thermopolia, the ancient equivalent of today's fast food restaurants. In short, the Forum was the heart and soul of city life.


The Palatine Hill is located between the Roman Forum, the Velabrum and the Circus Maximus. It is one of the seven hills of Rome, and probably the site of the first settlements of the city. The western side of the Palatine Hill is where Roman mythology places the site of the dwelling of Romulus, as well as the cave where Romulus and Remus were raised by the she-wolf.

8:30 am - 4:30 pm from January 2 to February 15
8:30 am - 5 pm from February 16 to March 15
8:30 am - 5:30 pm from March 16 to 28
8:30 am - 7:15 pm from last Sunday of March to August 31
8:30 am – 7 pm from September 1 to September 30
8:30 am - 6:30 pm from October 1 to last Saturday of October
8:30 am - 4:30 pm from last Sunday of October to December 31
8:30 am to 2 pm April 11
1:30 pm - 7:15 pm June 2

Closed January 1, May 1, December 25. Ticket office closes one hour before closing time

Once the visit is confirmed, you can not cancel or modify.

Rome was born here! Visit one of the most famous monumental complexes in the world hassle free: Save time and money with our special Colosseum, Palatine Museum and Roman Forum Combo Ticket.
Ticket is valid for the Colosseum and the Palatine Hill with the Palatine Museum and the Roman Forum.
Ticket is valid for two days from pick up and allows one entrance to each site.
Reservations must be made with a minimum of 1 day notice.
Reservations are limited to 13 persons maximum.