Caracalla Baths
The redbrick ruins of the Caracalla Baths are southeast of ancient Rome's center. The enormous 27 acre complex provided bathing facilities and seats for 1,600 people for over 300 years. The "Leisure Process" began with a hot bath in the calidarium, then the lukewarm tepidarium, and finally the cold frigidarium. Not only for the gentlemen and women of leisure, the complex also had gymnasium, libraries, gardens, and galleries. Neglect, loitering, and earthquakes all contributed to the deterioration of the baths, but the ancient ruins that remain can still imprint the image of luxury in the imaginations of all its visitors.

Fun Facts

• The baths were a venue for the gymnastics competition during the 1960 Summer Olympics.


• The design of the baths was used as the inspiration for several modern structures, including Pennsylvania Station in New York City and National Assembly Building in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

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Caracalla Baths