Did ancient Romans ever tire of baths? The imposing ruins before you are the Baths of Trajan, a testament to the Roman love affair with water and leisure. The Baths of Trajan, completed in 109 AD, were a marvel of their time. They were a gift to the people of Rome from the Emperor Trajan, a ruler known for his grand projects and military victories. Imagine a sprawling complex, covering an area larger than six football fields. The Baths of Trajan were not just baths; they were a social hub, a cultural center, and an architectural masterpiece. Picture yourself strolling through the grand entrance, welcomed by the chatter of bathers and the scent of exotic oils. You could join the crowds in the frigidarium, a vast cold pool, or sweat it out in the caldarium, a luxuriously heated room. The Baths of Trajan even had libraries, reflecting the Roman belief that a sound mind deserved a sound body. Today, only fragments of this once-magnificent complex remain. However, as you wander through the ruins, let your imagination transport you back to a time when the Baths of Trajan were the heart of Roman social life.
Chiesa di Santa Maria in Monticelli
Is this heaven? Because standing before the Chiesa di Santa Maria in Monticelli, one might feel a touch of the