- Baiae was a spa town near Naples frequented by the Roman Emperors and Aristocracy.
- Its Ruins now form part of the town of Bacoli and are preserved in an Underwater Park and the Archeological Museum of Baiae.
History
- A reference in 178 BCE to ‘Aquae Cumanae’, the ‘Cumaean Waters’, shows the Spa Town was already popular under the Roman Republic.
- Under the Roman Empire, Baiae became the main Spa Town and Resort for the Roman Emperors and the Roman Aristocracy. It was an extension of Portus Julius, where the Western Roman Fleet, the Classis Misenensis was based.
- Several Roman Emperors had Villas there, including Hadrian who died at his villa here on the 10 July 138 CE aged 62.
- Temple of Mercury
- Known as the Temple of Echo due to its acoustics, it had the largest Dome (21.5 m or 71 ft) in the Ancient World until the Pantheon was built in 128 CE.
- These ‘Temples’ were actually Baths, several of which had Domes.
- Aqua Augusta
- Baiae was supplied with drinking water by the Aqua Augusta which supplied Naples and the other coastal towns nearby.
Roman Sites
- Part of Baiae is now between 16-70 ft (3-24 m) underwater in the Underwater Archaeological Park of Baiae.
- Temple of Diana.
- Temple of Mercury.
- Temple of Venus.
- Temple of Sosandra.
- Villa of the Ambulatio.
Museums
Underwater Archaeological Park of Baiae