Remains of Diocletian's Baths (Rome)

 ruins, Roman Empire, bathhouse, 4th century construction

The Baths of Diocletian (Thermae Diocletiani) in Rome were the grandest of the public baths, or thermae built by successive emperors. Diocletian's Baths, dedicated in 306, were the largest and most sumptuous of the imperial baths and remained in use until the aqueducts that fed them were cut by the Goths in 537. Similar in size and plan to those of Caracalla and oriented to the southwest so that solar energy heated the caldarium without affecting the frigidarium, they are well preserved because various parts later were converted to ecclesiastical or other use, including:

* Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri (in the tepidarium), whose three soaring transept vaults provide one of the few glimpses of the original splendor of Roman building
* the church of San Bernardo alle Terme (in one of the two circular rooms)
* in the main hall, part of the Museo Nazionale Romano (National Roman Museum)
* the 'octagonal aula', also now part of the National Roman Museum.

Other remains of the baths are visible several streets away.

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