Public baths played an important role in Roman society, contributing to improving people’s health. Among them, outstanding in both comfort and scale, we cannot ignore Caracalla, the second largest bathhouse of the Roman Empire, built in Rome from 212 to 217. This is a project bearing the mark of the Emperor. Caracalla sole.
The Caracalla Baths are sized like a small city and are a large project on a land area with a total area of 14,000 hectares. More than a regular bathhouse, Caracalla is like a multi-functional entertainment center with a locker room, hot and cold bathroom, sauna, library, garden, art gallery…
With a capacity of up to 3,000 people at the same time, the inside of the bathroom is decorated with marble slabs encrusted on the walls, fountains, statues of gods in Greek mythology and even some statues. The statue is plated with gold.
Caracalla was a common entertainment area for all Romans, regardless of status. In addition, there is a heating system located in the basement, so hot water is supplied regularly. Romans came here not only to bathe, but also as a place to meet and exchange friends, relax, and practice sports.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Caracalla baths became the inspiration for many modern works such as St George’s Hall, Liverpool (UK) and Pennsylvania Station, New York (USA). In 2009, the most terrible earthquake in Italy in the past 3 decades occurred near L’Aquila, causing extensive damage to the structure.
For those who love and want to learn about ancient Roman cultural society, Caracalla is a very special place. Today, although the giant bathhouse is only a ruin, it still endures and has become a famous cultural work.