Castro Pretorio in Roma in Città metropolitana di Roma Capitale, Latium, Rome, Italy — Central Italy (Tyrrhenian Coast)

Natatio

Photographed by James Hulse, March 1, 2024

1. Natatio Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Italian:
La grande piscina -natatio- aveva una superficie di circa 4000 metri quadrati e una profondità di circa 1 metro. Il fondo e le pareti erano rivestiti da lastre di marmo di Luni. Nella piscina si specchiava la facciata monumentale disegnata sul modello delle scene dei teatri. È scandita da quattro nicchie colossali, rettangolari e semicircolari, disposte ai lati del grande ingresso che metteva in comunicazione la natatio con il frigidarium. II prospetto si articolava in colonne che inquadravano edicole e nicchie con statue. Le superfici erano rivestite di marmi colorati e mosaici che creavano straordinari effetti di policromia. Alla fine del '500 nell'invaso fu costruito il Chiostro piccolo della Certosa, che si estende per circa un terzo dell'intera superficie. Il presbiterio di Santa Maria degli Angeli interrompe la facciata inglobando il grande ingresso e parte della piscina.

English:
The large pool -natatio- had a surface area of about 4000 square metres and a depth of around 1 metre. The bottom and walls were clad with marble slabs from Luni, which are

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still partially preserved and indicated by the flooring that reproduces the sizes of the ancient slabs. The pool reflected the imposing monumental facade, which reproduced those found in the scenes of theatres. It is punctuated by four colossal recesses, two rectangular and two semicircular, which are alternated to the sides of the large entrance which once linked the natatio with the frigidarium. The front was composed of columns that framed aediculae and niches with statues. The surfaces were clad with coloured marble and mosaics to create extraordinary polychrome effects. Today the facade is interrupted by the apse of the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, which incorporates the large entrance and part of the natatio. In the late 16th century the Small Cloister of the Charterhouse was built in the pool, and it occupies about a third of the natatio's surface.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Anthropology & Archaeology.

Location. 41° 54.197′ N, 12° 29.879′ E. Marker is in Roma, Lazio (Latium, Rome), in Città metropolitana di Roma Capitale. It is in Castro Pretorio. It is at the intersection of Viale Enrico de Nicola and Piazza dei Cinquecento on Viale Enrico de Nicola. The marker is located on the museum grounds of the Baths of Diocletian. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Viale Enrico de Nicola 78, Roma, Lazio 00185, Italy. Touch for directions.

The Natatio and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, March 1, 2024

2. The Natatio and Marker

Regionally, it is in Europe,

the European Union,

the Schengen Area,

a coastal Mediterranean country,

and the Western World.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Byzantine Empire

and specifically also the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Portale della Certosa / The Charterhouse Gateway (a few steps from this marker); Elementi Architettonici Della Natatio / Architectural Elements of the Natatio (a few steps from this marker); Elemento Architettonici delle Terme di Diocleziano (a few steps from this marker); Statua di Personaggio in Toga / Statue of Togaed Figure (a few steps from this marker); Aula VIII / Hall VIII (within shouting distance of this marker); Portale di Villa Panzani / Gateway of Villa Panzani (within shouting distance of this marker); Vasche / Basins (within shouting distance of this marker); Cippi Funerali / Tomb Markers (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Roma.

More about this marker. There is a small fee to visit the Baths of Diocletian National Roman Museum.

Also see . . . Baths of Diocletian. Wikipedia

The Baths of Diocletian (Latin: Thermae Diocletiani, Italian: Terme di Diocleziano) were public baths in ancient Rome. Named after emperor Diocletian and built from AD 298 to 306, they were the largest of the imperial baths. The project was originally commissioned by Maximian upon his return to Rome in the autumn
Photographed by James Hulse, March 1, 2024

3. The view from the far end of the Natatio
of 298 and was continued after his and Diocletian's abdication under Constantius, father of Constantine.

(Submitted on March 4, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 4, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 92 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 5, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.