- UNESCO
- Free 1st Sunday
Photo: Lalupa, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Archaeological site
Baths of Nero
Historical ancient structure in Rome
- Within the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights and San Paolo Fuori le Mura”
At a glance
- Type
- Archaeological site
- Coordinates
- 41°53′55″ N, 12°28′33″ E
History and description
The Baths of Nero (Thermae Neronis) or Baths of Alexander (Thermae Alexandrinae) were a complex of ancient Roman baths on the Campus Martius in Rome, built by Nero in either 62 or 64 and rebuilt by Alexander Severus in 227 or 229. It stood between the Pantheon and the Stadium of Domitian and were listed among the most notable buildings in the city by Roman authors and became a much-frequented venue. These thermae were the second large public baths built in Rome, after the Baths of Agrippa, and it was probably the first "imperial-type" complex of baths, with a monumental scale and symmetrical, axially-planned design. While in the sixteenth century the foundations of the caldarium were still visible, nothing else of the structure remains above ground except some fragments of walls incorporated into the structure of Palazzo Madama.
Overview
The thermae covered an area of about 190 by 120 metres. Their extent is shown by the modern-day Piazza della Rotonda, Via del Pozzo delle Cornacchie and Via della Dogana Vecchia, which now cover the site. The complex's water was initially supplied by the Aqua Virgo – already supplying the neighbouring Baths of Agrippa – then by the newly built Aqua Alexandrina after its restoration in the reign of the early third century emperor Alexander Severus, after whom it was subsequently renamed, though some continued to give it Nero's name.
Restoration
The restoration was part of the extensive building program that Severus undertook during his reign, which also included the restoration of the Baths of Caracalla, the Colosseum, the Temple of Serapis, Circus Maximus, and the Alexandrian nymphaeum, among others.
Identification
There is some contradiction among ancient sources with regards to whether the Baths of Nero and the Baths of Alexander are the same. Some affirmed that they are identical, while some claim that the two structures were merely close to each other. It is also suggested that the Severus added his baths to the existing facility built by Nero.
Design
Its construction was celebrated by a probable depiction of the baths on a coin of Alexander Severus. According to Sidonius Apollinaris, it was still in use in the fifth century. Its appearance is known from Renaissance drawings made by Palladio and Antonio da Sangallo the Younger and may substantially represent the design as it was the time of Nero. The overall layout of the baths has been confirmed by archaeological findings. It fronted north, and was aligned with its walls facing the points of the compass. In the centre of the colder northern side was the natatio (swimming pool) flanked by two lateral peristyles, which may have been used as palaestrae. At the centre was the frigidarium with four adjoining chambers in the corners, flanked on either side by two apodyteria (changing rooms). South of these a tepidarium flanked by two rooms that may have been sudatoria or laconica (steam rooms) led finally to the southern, hottest end of the complex, where the caldarium stood projecting from the walls on either side, receiving the most sunlight and surrounded by praefurnia or propignea (chambers leading to the furnaces heating the whole thermae). An account stated that forests had been officially designated as sources for its heating fuel and that special taxes were imposed for its maintenance.
Text from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Full article: «Baths of Nero».
Photos
Getting there
FlaminioTrain, nearest
1.6 km as the crow flies
Baths of Nero
Aeroporto di Roma-Ciampino14.7 km
Distances are as the crow flies, not walking or driving.
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Nearby
See on the mapMore archaeological sites in Lazio
- Free 1st Sunday
- Free 1st Sunday
- UNESCO
Frequently asked questions
Where is Baths of Nero?
Baths of Nero is in Rome, in the province of Roma (Lazio), Italy. GPS coordinates: 41.89872, 12.47583.
What else is there to see near Baths of Nero?
Nearby you’ll find: Palazzetto di Tizio da Spoleto (0 m away), Palazzo Melchiorri Aldobrandini (0 m away), Palazzo Maccarani Stati (100 m away).
Sources and licences
Text. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Data. Wikidata (CC0); opening hours and contacts OpenStreetMap (ODbL).
Photos. Wikimedia Commons, author and licence on every image.
Credits for the 8 photos
- S eustachio - via di santEustachio - colonne delle terme alessandrine 00934-5 — Lalupa, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Thermes Neron — D'après les dessins de Palladio interprétés par D. Krencker et I. Nielsen, Public domain
- FirenzeGiardinoBoboliAnfiteatroVasca — MM, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Panteonul din Roma3 — Cezar Suceveanu, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Pantheon - Front — Nicholas Gemini, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Pantheon chiesa, Roma fc08 — Fczarnowski, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Pantheon Exterior 2 (14853409113) — daryl_mitchell from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Pantheon september05 — Nicolai Schäfer ( Benutzer:nize ), CC BY-SA 2.0 de
Updated 28 October 2026. All sources and licences