My Rome diary-I

Rome-as my friends say, has become my second home. I have visited this city, which has maintained its antiquity even now for three times already. I have been visiting this city to attend official engagements at Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

A view of Roman Forum and surroundings from FAO

 

The location of FAO is very interesting as it is surrounded bt famous landmarks .To its one end are tha famous Baths of Carcalla, while to the other end is the Circus Massimo. The iconic Colloseum and Roman Forum are just facing FAO Headquarter building. Visiting these places was my almost daily routine during the one and a half hour lunch break that FAO generously provided.



FAO



 

The Baths of Caracalla

The Baths of Caracalla in Rome, Italy were the second largest Roman public baths, or thermae, built in Rome between AD 212 and 216, during the reign of the Emperor Caracalla. The red-brick ruins of the Baths of Caracalla are situated southeast of ancient Rome's center. The baths were enormous buildings, with huge frescoed vaults covering the massive rooms. This huge 11 hectare (27 acre) large complex housed bathing facilities could accommodate more than 1600 people.

At a time when Rome's crowded tenements had few sanitary facilities, the more than 50 public baths in Imperial Rome played an important part in Roman society. Not only did it improve the cleanliness and health of its citizens, but the thermae (bath) were also places where Romans came to socialize gossip and relax. The ritual of bathing was a long process, starting with a hot bath, lukewarm, followed by the cold and finally a swim in an open air swimming pool.

The Baths of Caracalla was more than a mere bathing house; it was actually a multifunctional leisure center and also housed gymnasiums, libraries, gardens, art galleries, restaurants and even brothels. The Baths of Caracalla was known for its rich interior which featured marble seats, mosaic covered walls and floors as well as fountains and statues. A complex water distribution system ensured a constant flow of water from the Aqua Marcia aqueduct. The baths were fully functional until 537 AD when Goths destroyed the aqueduct, cutting off the water supply.

 

Neglect, looting and an earthquake turned this great architectural complex into ruins. Today, the roofs have collapsed, the walls have fallen down, the statues have been removed, and the decoration is gone, but yet, the ruins belong to the most impressive remains of Antiquity

Circo Massimo

The Circus Maximus or circo  Massimo is an ancient roman chariot racing and mass entertainment venue located in Rome. It was the first and largest stadium in ancient Rome and its later Empire. It measured 621 m in length and 118 m  in width, and could accommodate about 150,000 spectators. The site is now a public park with ruins of roman forum in the backdrop. Very little now remains of the Circus, except for the grass-covered racing track and the outline of the central barrier.

 

Some of the starting gates remain, but most of the seating has disappeared. After the 6th century, the site fell into disuse and gradual decay. The place is more of an historic importance then a famous tourist spot. But since it is a stone throw away distance from Colosseum, one can have a look of the place and take a few pictures. It was however exciting to me for a different reason. The shooting of famous “Ben Hur”-one of my favorite movies was shot at this very venue.