Museo Nazionale Romano: Terme di Diocleziano

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  • Address
    near Piazza Della Repubblica, Viale Enrico de Nicola 78, Castro Pretorio
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  • Phone
    06 399 67 700
  • Transport
    underground rail: Termini

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Lonely Planet review

The ruins over the road from Piazza dei Cinquecento, outside Termini, are the remains of the Terme di Diocleziano (Diocletian's Baths), the largest baths complex in ancient Rome. Covering about 13 hectares and with a capacity of 3000 people, the complex comprised baths, libraries, concert halls and gardens. It was completed in the early 4th century but fell into disrepair after invaders destroyed the aqueduct that fed the baths in about AD 536.

The ground-floor and 1st-floor galleries contain a display of epigraphs and a large collection of vases, amphorae and household objects in terracotta and bronze. Among the highlights are three stunning terracotta statues of seated female figures that were found in Ariccia, southeast of Rome. The extensive 2nd-floor galleries contain artefacts (mainly burial objects such as jewellery and domestic items) from Italian protohistory - the 11th to 6th centuries BC.

Outside, Michelangelo's elegant cloister is lined with classical sarcophagi, headless statues, and huge sculptured animal heads, thought to have come from the Foro di Traiano (Trajan's Forum).

To the north, the Aula Ottagona (Piazza della Repubblica; admission free; ; - Mon-Sat, - Sun) houses yet more Roman sculpture. The ruins are part of the Museo Nazionale Romano.