AQUEDUCTS, CITY WALLS & IMPERIAL PALACES

flavia — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 16:10:10 +0000

Eight of the eleven aqueducts that provided Ancient Rome with fresh water entered the city here Ad Spem Veterem (at the Old Hope), nowadays Porta Maggiore. Six of them are still visible.

Start the walk from the so-called Temple of Minerva Medica, IV century, the third biggest ancient dome in Rome.

Continue on to the Tomb of Eurysaces the Baker, about 30 BC. Next to it the astonishing monumental arches of the Aqueduct of Claudius (Aqua Claudia, 52 AD) were later used as impressive gates when the city wall was built under emperor Aurelian (270-275 AD).

Not far is a cistern that served a Roman bath in IV century.

Just across the street we visit the majestic ruins of Sessorium, the new imperial palace built under emperor Elagabalus (218-222). It included the Varian Circus, a Basilica, an amphitheater. See how this Amphitheatrum Castrense was later incorporated in the Aurelian Walls.

In IV century Emperor Constantine’s mother, Helen, lived here; she had one of the old halls converted into the palatine chapel, the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, which we visit inside (see also relics from the passion of Christ).

Walk along the Aurelian Walls to reach Porta Asinaria, the only gate that still has its original III century square towers, together with more recent V century semicircular towers.

Duration: 3 hours

No entrance tickets

An exclusive opening of Porta Asinaria can be booked with good notice, 4 euro each.

ROMAN BATHS AND CITY WALLS

flavia — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:47:10 +0000

Start this walk at the Circus Maximus, the most extensive stadium ever that could sit up to 300.000 spectators. The Appian Way originally started here in 312 BC.

Walk along the Appian Way to reach the impressive walls of the well preserved Baths of Caracalla, where we learn how Ancient Romans spent their afternoons in these true leisure centers.

Continue on the Appian Way among ancient mausoleums and Renaissance Villas to the Arch of Drusus and Porta San Sebastiano, the ancient Appian Gate. Explore the Museo delle Mura (free admission, closed on Mondays) inside the ancient gate to discover more about the city wall made under emperor Aurelian (270-275 AD), and walk along the ancient ramparts.

Duration: 3 hours

Entrance tickets: Baths of Caracalla 10 euro (4 euro for EU students under 25), 2 euro under 18. Museo delle Mura now free.

Both sites closed on Mondays.

This walk can only be done in the morning as Museo delle Mura closes at 2:00 pm.

Note: the service tunnels under the baths are not open to the public (February 2022)

ArchaeoWalks » City Walls

AQUEDUCTS, CITY WALLS & IMPERIAL PALACES

ROMAN BATHS AND CITY WALLS