Baths of Diocletian

Welcome to the Baths of Diocletian, the most monumental leisure complex of the ancient Roman world. To understand the scale of what you are about to see, imagine a structure that could accommodate up to 3,000 people…

We begin our exploration inside the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri. What you see here is the actual central hall, the 'frigidarium,' of the original baths. …

Step out into the 'Chiostro Michelangiolesco,' one of the largest and most serene cloisters in Italy. Though based on Michelangelo’s designs, construction began in 1565, a year after his death. …

We now approach the remains of the 'Natatio,' the massive open-air swimming pool that was the heart of the thermal complex. To put its size into perspective, it covered 4,000 square meters—nearly the size of a modern football…

Within the halls of the complex lies one of the most important collections of its kind in the world: the Epigraphic Museum. It houses approximately 10,000 inscriptions, carvings, and emblems that provide a direct voice from the…

Entering 'Aula X,' we see how the great halls of the baths have been used to preserve other aspects of Roman culture. This massive room, once part of the bath's perimeter, now houses funeral monuments from across the city. …

To truly understand the layers of history at this site, we must look at its very foundations. Near the entrance at Piazza dei Cinquecento, you can see the longest surviving section of the Servian Walls. …

Our exploration of the Baths of Diocletian concludes here. We have traveled from the social heart of the imperial city to the quiet cloisters of the Renaissance. …