Baths of Diocletian the Mother of God of the Sign. Baths of Diocletian, Rome

The National Museum of Rome is one of the main centers of the historical and artistic culture of a united Italy. Here is a stunning collection of ancient sculptures, mosaics, frescoes, coins. The museum is not popular with tourists, but in vain.

National Museum of Rome, photo by Richard Mortel

The National Roman Museum (Museo Nazionale Romano) is a complex of four objects dedicated to Roman history:

• Palazzo Massimo,
• Crypt Balbi.

It is one of the best museums in terms of exposition, organization of work, and convenience for visitors. The National Museum of Rome was established in 1889. It brought together numerous exhibits from the ancient period. The basis of the collection is the collection of the Kircheriano Museum, which in 1901 received the collection of the Villa Ludovisi. At first, all the exhibits were located in the premises of the former monastery on the territory of the Baths of Diocletian. In 1990, the museum was reformed, and the collection was dispersed over 4 objects. Today, the National Museum has one of the richest collections of ancient sculpture.

Palazzo Massimo

Crypt Balbi

Baths of Diocletian, photo by HEN-Magonza

The Baths of Diocletian (Terme di Diocleziano) are the ruins of ancient Roman baths not far from. They were erected in 298 - 305. In 537 the Goths destroyed the aqueduct and the baths ceased to exist. In 1561, Pius IV commissioned Michelangelo to reconstruct the territory of the term. The caldarium was rebuilt into the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri; the building of the Carthusian monastery appeared. Since 1889, some rooms of the Baths of Diocletian have been occupied historical part collections National Museum Rome with a collection of Greek and Roman art. On three floors there are various artifacts that tell about the development of the Roman state since ancient times. Collections of inscriptions and sculptures are exhibited in the halls.

Address of the Baths of Diocletian: Viale Enrico de Nicola, 76, 00185 Roma,
Website: www.coopculture.it

Massimo Palace

Mosaic, photo by David Morgan-Mar

Frescoes from Villa Livia, photo by Devon D'Ewart

Palazzo Massimo (Palazzo Massimo alle Terme) was built in 1883-1887. architect Camilo Pistrucci. In the basement there is a numismatic collection. Two floors of the palace are occupied by a collection of ancient sculptures, on the third - mosaics and antique paintings. I remember the frescoes depicting trees, flowers and birds from the winter triclinium from the villa of Augustus's wife, Livia. The pride of the museum are the frescoes of Villa Farnesina. Sarcophagi are displayed in the halls.

Sitting boxer, photo @@@@@

"Seated Boxer" - one of the masterpieces, a statue of the Hellenistic era of the 1st century. In addition to artistic merit, it is a model of metalworking.

Massimo Palace address: Largo di Villa Peretti, 2, 00185 Roma,
Website: www.museonazionaleromano.beniculturali.it

Altemps Palace

Palazzo Altemps, photo mctl

In the Palazzo Altemps (palazzo Altemps) there are collections of art objects: the collection of Cardinal Ludovisi, consisting of 104 sculptures of the ancient period; the Egyptian collection, the collections of the princes Mattei and the Austrian cardinal Altemps.

The Altemps Palace was designed by Melozzo da Forli for Girolamo Riario in the 15th century. on the Champ de Mars, next to

Throne of Ludovisi, photo edk7

The throne from the Ludovisi collection is a masterpiece of Greek art of the 5th century BC. It was part of the altar of the temple of Aphrodite at Locri. On the central bas-relief of the throne, we see how Aphrodite is born from the sea foam.

Hall with the Pergamon sculptural group "Suicide of the Gaul", photo M.Pardy

The Gall Ludovisi is a marble copy of a bronze group of a large triumphal monument erected by Attalus I in the Pergamon temple of Athena c. 220-230 AD Gall kills himself and his wife. The sculpture is made with detailed detail and expression.

Sarcophagus "Grande Ludovisi", photo GianJames

Another masterpiece of the Ludovisi collection is the Grande Ludovisi sarcophagus (II-III centuries), its height is 1.5 m.

Altemps Palace Address: Piazza di Sant'Apollinare, 46, 00186 Roma,
Website: www.museonazionaleromano.beniculturali.it

Balbi crypts, photo by Christopher Mendes

The exposition of the Crypta Balbi (Crypta Balbi) stores exhibits of archaeological excavations and is dedicated to the history of the development of Rome.

Address of the Crypt Balbi: Via delle Botteghe Oscure, 31, 00186 Roma,
Website: www.museonazionaleromano.beniculturali.it

Working hours

Tue-Sun from 09:00 to 19:45;

Mon day off.

Tickets

Entrance to one of the 4 museums - €10.00; preferential — €5.
If the museum hosts an exhibition, then the ticket costs €13.00; preferential — €8.

The combined ticket includes admission to all museums (The Baths of Diocletian, the palaces of Massimo and Altemps, the crypt of Balbi) and is valid for 3 days.
The total cost of a combined ticket is €12.00; preferential — €6.
If there are exhibitions, then the combined ticket costs €15.00; preferential — €9.

At the time of buying online ticket on the website the price increases by €2.

Under 18s admission is free.
Every first Sunday of the month admission is free.

Buy tickets in advance online:

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Museum of the Baths of Diocletian- This is one of the four buildings that house the National Roman Museum. Other places are as follows: Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, Palazzo Altemps, Crypt Balbi. Post about the Museum of Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, where, through the route of the museum, one can relive the history, myths and daily life in Rome.

Initially Baths of Diocletian was a colossal imperial-era thermal complex built between 298 and 306 AD, covering an area of ​​over 13,000 m2.

According to legend, the baths were built by Christians condemned to death. They accommodated more than 3,000 bathers at a time, approximately twice the number of people for which the Baths of Caracalla were designed. It took 10 years to build them, compared to the 5 years it took to build the Baths of Caracalla. At the terms there were three thousand baths and three spacious pools with clean, clear water.

During the empire, the baths were open to men as well as women and children, and even a very modest fee of one quadrant was sometimes covered by the generosity of the emperor or some rich man who could take on the entire cost of visiting the baths for a period of one day to one year. The Romans went to the thermae to meet others, to walk and chat, some to play ball and other games, others to experience more intense physical activity such as wrestling or to watch others do it, and of course to get cool. in summer and warm in winter. The cold baths were in the frigidarium, a cool room in the bathhouse; there was also a warm room, or tepidarium, and a heated room, the calidarium, where there were warm baths and hot steam to induce perspiration, as in our modern Turkish baths. The room was even hotter, laconic, used mainly by the sick. Warmth was provided by a fierce fire under the floor, kindled by slaves, using large amounts of wood.

Bathers could enjoy any or all of them in turn and in any other order. Now little remains of the former glory of the term, but they still excite our impressions. The same feelings overwhelm at the sight.

Today it is the site of the National Roman Museum, founded in 1898. His archaeological heritage- one of the richest in the world, it comes from various collections, and partly consists of finds found in the baths. On the territory of the thermal complex, Michelangelo skillfully placed the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli in the Renaissance style, which Pope Pius IV wished in 1561.

In the monastery courtyard, created by Michelangelo, more than 400 sculptures of all types belonging to Roman masters are exhibited (architectural finds, marble groups and statues, sarcophagi, donation altars).

The museum section at the Baths of Diocletian was conceived to introduce the beginning of Roman history.

It contains an extensive epigraphic section, showing the emergence of the Latin language through texts written in various media dating back to the period from the 8th century BC. until the 4th century AD

The ruins of ancient Roman baths - the baths of Diocletian - were erected in the distant 298-305 AD. In modern Rome, these ancient baths belong to. In addition to the baths, the museum includes three more objects located separately: the Balbi crypt and.

History of the Baths of Diocletian

The Roman emperor Gaius Diocletian wanted to build the largest baths that no other could compare with. So there were baths, total area which, together with gardens, occupied about 13 hectares.

Since 537, after the destruction of the aqueduct by the Ostrogothic king Vitiges, the baths no longer functioned as intended.

In 1563, on behalf of Emperor Pius IV, Michelangelo carried out a large-scale reconstruction of the Diocletian Baths. So the term caldarium was reincarnated as a church dedicated to the Mother of God, angels and martyrs. The building of the Carthusian monastery was built. Thanks to such diligent reconstruction, these ancient Roman baths have survived to this day much better than others.

Baths of Diocletian could simultaneously accommodate up to 3 thousand people. Very extensive gardens were decorated with fountains and pavilions. On the territory there were halls for meetings and sports exercises, a library worked.

Museum at the Baths of Diocletian

Since 1889, a collection of Roman and Greek art has been located in the baths. In general, there is something to see and admire.

In the thermal museum you will see not only the masterpieces of Michelangelo, brought to life in the church and monastery, but also ancient statues, sarcophagi, reliefs, altars, tombs and much more.

How to get there

The Baths of Diocletian in Rome are located near the Republic Square. Opposite the main station of Rome Termini.

Working hours: The thermal museum can be visited from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:00 to 19:30. The ticket price is 7 euros. Persons from 18 to 25 years old - 3.5 euros. On the first Sunday of each month, admission is free for visitors under 18. The ticket price includes admission to the rest of the objects of the National Museum of Rome. The ticket is valid for 3 days.

The Baths of Diocletian

Ancient Rome is a mysterious and surprisingly developed world. From a technical point of view, at one time he did not know equal. Take at least the terms, which were provided with water through underground aqueducts (water pipes). These were not just baths, but entire complexes. One of them is the Baths of Diocletian.

History reference

The construction of the thermae began in 298. In 303, they already towered in all their glory and were consecrated, having received the name in honor of Diocletian. The structure turned out to be so huge that it could simultaneously accommodate 3,000 people.

During the invasion of the Vandals and the Goths, the Baths of Diocletian continued to partially function. But in 537, the invaders destroyed the aqueduct that supplied water to the baths, and they were devastated. In 1566, by order of the Pope, the baths began to be restored. Michelangelo took part in the work. He turned the central hall into the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli.

But then a whole period of desolation followed again. So baths gradually became a source of cheap material for the construction of other structures. The Baths of Diocletian suffered most of all in the period from 1586 to 1589, when a villa was being built for Pope Sixtus the Fifth.

In 1889, part of the Baths of Diocletian was turned into a museum. And at the beginning of the 20th century, the authorities of Rome decided to finally make these baths a monument ancient architecture and history. Today it houses the National Roman Museum.

Curious facts

The Baths of Diocletian had beautiful gardens. They were decorated with pavilions and fountains. The complex also included a gymnasium, meeting rooms, a library, a steam room, lounges, cold bath rooms, a swimming pool, and an amphitheatre. All this had a very rich decoration.

Modern excavations have established that the baths were not built from scratch - before that there were even more ancient buildings that were demolished. Water in the Baths of Diocletian came from one of the branches of the Marcius aqueduct.

architectural features

These baths are an example of ancient architecture. They took enough large area covering over 13 hectares. The construction was based on the project of two previous terms - the emperors Trajan and Caracalla.

What can be seen?

Today you can see the ruins of the main building from Republic Street. One of the asps has been preserved as the entrance to the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli, which Michelangelo converted from the central hall of the term. Another part became the National Roman Museum. In the people it is simply called the Thermae Museum.

Several round rooms (presumably 1-2) were rebuilt into the Basilica of San Bernardo alle Terme. A fragment of another similar room can be seen between Viminale Street and Cinquecento Square. There are also unused parts of the Baths of Diocletian in the form of ruins. They are located a few streets from the National Roman Museum, which contains such masterpieces as:

• chny fighter;
• Throne of Ludovisi;
• Gallus killing his wife;
• Discobolus, etc.

Helpful information

How to get to the thermae? By metro - to the Republic station (Repubblica), then - 5 minutes on foot; to Termini station (Termini), and then 10 minutes on foot.

Visit time: daily - at 9:00-19:45, except for Monday (this is a day off). The box office closes at 19:15.

Entrance ticket price: full adult - 7 euros.

The address: Rome, street Enrico De Nicola (Via Enrico de Nicola), building 79.

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And the terms of Trajan.
1.

This is what the terms looked like on the layout.
2.

The layout quite accurately corresponds to the plan of the thermae depicted in an old engraving.
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The thermal structures accommodated up to 3200 people; the gardens were decorated with fountains and pavilions. The water supply of the term was carried out through the Marcius aqueduct.
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The decoration of the term was also luxurious: marble lining, unique mosaic floors, galleries with statues of gods and murmuring fountains.
5.

Baths served not only as baths, they served as a place of rest, communication, a center of cultural and social life of the city. Entrance to them was allowed to all free citizens. Gardens with pavilions, fountains, marble sculptures were laid out on the territory of the complex, there were also meeting rooms, an amphitheater, a library and a gym.
6.

The Baths of Diocletian modern form- this is Republic Square, on the site of the central hall, the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri was erected, some rooms are occupied by the National Roman Museum with a collection of Roman and Greek art. One of the round halls of the term was rebuilt into the Church of San Bernardo alle Terme.
Part of the ruins in 1889 was rebuilt as a museum.
7.

Thermal, or Diocletian's, window - a window that is divided into three sections by two vertical racks (multipliers) - the central one is wider and the side ones are narrower. Such windows are typical of the Roman baths of Diocletian. During the Renaissance, the great Italian architect Andrea Palladio revived thermal windows by reworking the antique form into the so-called Venetian window. Since then, the windows of Diocletian have firmly entered the arsenal of techniques of Palladianism and its successors.
8.

Republic Square
Until the 1950s, the square was called Exedra. This name is still in use among local residents. The old name comes from the large exedra of the terms of Diocletian - a semicircular deep niche with a half-dome. The form of the ancient exedra is repeated in the colonnade that limits the area from the southwest. Semicircular palazzos with porticos were erected in 1887-1898. designed by the architect Gaetano Koch. The façade of the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri overlooks the square. In the center of the square is the Naiad Fountain, created by the sculptor Mario Rutelli in 1901.
9.

Naiad Fountain [41.9030117N 12.4984825E]
In the last decade of his pontificate, Pope Pius IX commissioned and financed the reconstruction ancient aqueduct Marcia, which was badly damaged by the Goths in the sixth century, and has since remained unused. The construction of a new aqueduct was entrusted in 1868 to the company "Acqua Pia Antica Marcia SpA", which for a long time was one of the main suppliers of the city's water supply. The aqueduct was planned to end with a large fountain. The first version of the fountain was built in 1870, slightly different from where it is now. It was a simple large round pool, from which a large number of jets of water directed towards the center. The composition ended with five vertical jets of water, the central one being much higher. A few years later, in 1888, the architect Alessandro Guerriri completely changed the appearance of the fountain. It began to consist of three concentric circular cups at different heights, placed on an octagonal base. There was an attempt to install four lions, but it was not successful, and the project was abandoned. The next project by the sculptor Mario Rutelli was built and opened in 1901. The fountain of naiads was decorated with four naked female figures in bronze depicting naiads: the Nymph of the Lakes holding a swan, the Nymph of the Rivers lying on the monster of the rivers, the Nymph of the underground waters lying on the back of a dragon, and the Nymph of the oceans riding a seahorse.
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In 1912, finally, the fountain received its final appearance with the installation in the center of the Glauko group - a naked male figure, capturing a dolphin and symbolizing the dominion of man over natural force. From the mouth of the dolphin comes the central jet of the fountain. The work was fully opened in 1914.
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National Museum of Rome [41.9030157N 12.4984127E]
The National Roman Museum was opened in 1889. The National Roman Museum includes the Thermae Museum, which houses a collection of famous ancient sculptures: Throne of Ludovisi, Discobolus, Fist Fighter, Gaul Killing His Wife and many others that were previously in the baths of Diocletian and Caracalla.
14. Entrance to the museum

The museum currently has one of the richest collections of ancient sculpture. In the halls of the ancient baths of Diocletian, collections of inscriptions and sculptures are presented.
16.

19. Collection of antique masks

Museum garden
21.

On the territory of the term in front of the entrance to the museum, you can also see some very original sculptures.
31.

Many ancient sculptures, tombstones, masks and other ancient exhibits are exhibited in the halls of the museum.
34.

large cloister
40.

In the center of a large cloister among green spaces, various animals look out for something.
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Small cloister
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The National Roman Museum today is a complex of five objects dedicated to Roman history: the Baths of Diocletian, Palazzo Massimo, Palazzo Altemps, Crypt Balbi and Museo Palatino. This museum is considered one of the best in terms of exposition, organization of work, and convenience for visitors. With one entrance ticket, you can visit 4 sites: Baths of Diocletian, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, Palazzo Altemps, Balbi crypt. The ticket is valid for 3 days.
46.

In 1563, by order of the pope, Michelangelo carried out the reconstruction of the ruins of the central hall of the baths. The ruins were turned into the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli. The church is very interesting, with in-depth study of astronomy. It will be dedicated to a separate post, which will be published in the near future.
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San Bernardo alle Terme [41.9036226N 12.4944699E]
San Bernardo alle Terme - monastery church of the Cistercian order, dedicated to St. Bernard. Initially, the church building may have served as a spheristerium (hall for playing ball), which is part of the Baths of Diocletian. In 1593, the niece of Pope Julius III bought this plot of land and donated it to the construction of the monastery. Its construction continued until 1598, the rebuilding of the church was completed in 1600.
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The structure of the dome of the church is similar to the Pantheon, but much smaller in diameter (only 22 m).
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Since 1670, the church has been a titular church, in the same year the first restoration work was carried out: the interior decoration was updated, an organ was built in, the choir was improved, a fresco depicting St. Bernard. The last restoration took place in 2000. In the niches of the church are 8 statues of saints by Camillo Mariani.
50.

51. Main altar

Altar of St. Bernard of Clairvaux
Altar of St. Bernard of Clairvaux is lavishly decorated with sculptures with ancient green columns. The altarpiece "The Vision of the Saints Flying in Ecstasy to Meet Jesus Being Taken Down from the Cross" by the Italian artist Giovanni Odazzi replaced another canvas by Thomas Laureti.
52.

Altar of St. Abbot Roberio
Altar of St. Abbot Roberio, a pupil of the Holy Order of the Cistercians, is decorated similarly to the altar of St. Bernard. The painting by Giovanni Odazzi depicts the Virgin and Child, St. John, St. Joseph and St. Roberto. Madonna puts a ring on her finger, a symbol of protection and devotion.
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Burial place of Johann Friedrich Oberbeck, leader of the Nazarenes, painter, graphic artist and illustrator.
54.

In addition, very close to the baths of Diocletian, you can see a couple of attractions.
Obelisk Dogali [41.9021613N 12.4974632E]
This is one of two obelisks brought from Heliopolis. The second is now installed in the Boboli Gardens in Florence. Initially, the monument was brought to the temple of Isis in Rome. Found in 1883 by Rodolfo Lanziani near Santa Maria sopra Minerva. Currently, the monument is dedicated in honor of the battle near Dogali. The location of the modern obelisk changed from the square in front of Termini Station to the current one in 1924.
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Statue of John Paul II work by Oliviero Rainaldi titled Conversazioni (conversations) installed March 18, 2011 . Behind the "back" of the monument is the central bus station of Rome (Termini station).
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Finally, for a better understanding, I suggest watching a video with a three-dimensional model of the ancient baths of Diocletian.