Bassian Septimius Caracalla. The baths of the Emperor Caracalla: photos, history, reconstruction, how to get there?

A Dilapidated old building, located in the capital of Italy, once called the eighth wonder of the world. Man-made national monument and is now a Testament to the greatness of the ancient Empire turned into the stage of the world famous Rome Opera.

Baths of Caracalla: a history

Before you start talking about one of the main attractions of the Eternal city, it is necessary to clarify what terms. Lived BC the people of Ancient Rome experienced enormous problems related to water. Therefore, before officials often raised the question of the construction of the aqueducts that brought life-giving water to the city. Each new fountain or water became a real event at that time.

Gradually began to appear the first bath, access to which have been exclusively wealthy and noble Romans. We can say that bathing in the baths played an important role in public life, it became a kind of informal fellowship for those in power. Famous citizens are not simply washed, and discussed concerns all questions. Baths offer not only services for the washing of the body, they also included a cultural complex: sports halls, libraries, premises for theatre performances. So the process of bathing has become a special aesthetic pleasure.

Complex for washing and entertainment

Of Course, the baths was not enough, and in the 3rd century ad, this question puzzled the Emperor Caracalla. Thermae, built in Rome by his command, was a huge bath complex, which was not equal. The construction of colossal proportions which could seat 1,500 people, was built 11 years. Built in the prestigious area of Rome's monumental sights included several rooms for bathing and relaxing.

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Well-Known recording of the chronicler Spartina that left behind an extraordinary complex the size of a city, the Emperor Caracalla. Baths really amazed by its size and rich decoration of the whole world. High walls built of pebbles and sand, among the rocks, poured cement, and the facade was decorated with marble slabs – it created the effect of visual fragility of the structure with beautiful interior amazing fortress complex as a whole.

Architecture and facilities

Covering an area of 11 hectares, the baths of the Emperor Caracalla was a giant building with amazing beauty of the frame. From all sides it was surrounded by a beautiful Park with huge pillars. A large number of areas inside the complex were built symmetrically, and all the corridors were designed special curved manner to prevent the release of heat.

On the one hand there was the amphitheater, which held a different race, with the other housed a library built specifically for bored of the Romans. So ordered by the Emperor Caracalla. Baths consisted of 64 facilities with huge tanks, which supplied pure water from mountain springs via the aqueduct. And after bathing, the Romans went to the baths area and in the Park rested in a cool gazebo in the fresh air.

Structure of the complex term

Wonderful cypress Avenue led to the entrance of the bath complex. The main building, which served as a bathing place, divided into several rooms.

The Main hall, illuminated by a soft Golden light through the window in the inserted transparent plates beige was amazingly height of the arch, which seem to merge skyrocketing marble walls. And through the hole in the dome structure inside the fall daylight. Luxury decor is simply amazing: the hall was decorated with numerous sculptures, and the floor was paved with colorful mosaics depicting scenes on mythological themes.

The Hot bath (caldarium) was a rotunda with lounge after bathing. Around the perimeter was a small niche in which they want to wash in solitude, – a prototype of the bathrooms.

Warm bath (tepidarium) was surprised by a mosaic floor, which was lined with figures of Roman athletes. And the right and left of the structure were rooms for gymnastics.

The Cold bath (frigidarium) hot allowed the Romans to cool off in the pool.

The Ban on hygienic procedures

Solidly made built term was considered a unique building, but after the fall of the great Roman Empire built during the reign of the Emperor named Caracalla baths went into decline. Researchers believe that the main role in oblivion hygiene played a Christianity preaching about the insignificance of the body and greatness of soul. It was considered that the moisture washes away the Holy water, into which dipped the person at baptism, and Church Ministers recognized the sin-washing in the bath, hindering spiritual development, and all the buildings of the Thermae was seen as pagan.

Usmerava his flesh preachers are not washed in all the monasteries of the bathrooms was a sign of special effeminacy, which has no place in a spiritual institution. The mud was revered as one of the Christian virtues, and even now is known for a shocking modernhuman history was found about lice, clearly recognized as a sign of Holiness. The result was epidemics that raged in the Middle ages in Europe and claimed the lives of millions of people.

The world Famous landmark

In the XVI century on the ruins of the once velichestvenny bath complexes were conducted archaeological excavations with the aim to decorate the Pope's Palace building material remaining from the term. And when was discovered the amazing works of art, this place was given the status of a local monument of culture.

Only at the end of the XIX century baths of Caracalla, photo of ruins which make the memory of admiring the former grandeur of Rome, the tourists become the recognized Italian landmark. Huge ruins are open daily to the public, and in our time they have become the Opera house stage. Former warm bath converted into a huge hall that can seat almost 20 thousand spectators. Launched in 1937, the Opera season is still going on, and the most famous event was the presentation of the Roman baths three internationally renowned tenors-Domingo, Carreras and Pavarotti.

Reconstruction of the Russian artist

In the mid-nineteenth century to Rome from Russia were sent Sergei Ivanov to restore the architectural appearance of monumental buildings. Hard working young man not scared away by the outbreak of the revolution, and he continued his work, despite the circumstances. Soon in Italian, published an essay Ivanov, who studied in detail the baths of Caracalla. Reconstruction, which was presented by Russian artist, consists of 43 figures, which showed the Central part of the building and premises in the section.

He didn't just meticulously reproduced all the decorations of the grandiose complex, but also pointed out room with warm and cold water, locker rooms, gyms and other parts of the main structure. The work of the Russian scientist is invaluable for all researchers of ancient ruins, he demonstrates the luxury giant Imperial structures.

Baths of Caracalla: how to get there?

To get to the Opera house, which is now in place of the bath complex, you can take the subway or bus. Address Thermes, located in the centre of the Italian capital, is as follows: Via delle Terme di Caracalla, 52. The entrance to the ruins is a few euros, but on a visit to the Opera will have to pay, because the cost will depend on the status of the contractor. But the magnitude of the extraordinary beauty of the spectacle under the open sky at night, is really worth it.

Ancient structure, in spite of the condition, causes sincere interest of foreign tourists, admiring the legacy of Ancient Rome. Built during the reign of Emperor with the sonorous name of the Caracalla baths are amazing in grandeur and scale, all who had touched the piece of architectural marvel.