Parco archeologico delle Terme di Baia

About the museum

The Baia Thermal Baths Archaeological Park is a dense group of Roman structures built against the slope of an ancient volcanic crater, in the small bay of Baia. It is known above all for the three large domed halls called the temples of Diana, Venus and Mercury, which were in fact never temples: the hall known as “Mercury” is considered the oldest known example of a large hemispherical concrete dome, dating from the Augustan age.

The three halls belonged to three separate thermal complexes built roughly a century apart, in order to exploit the hot mineral springs and vapours of the area, which also fed sauna-like rooms. Previously the slope had been occupied by large luxury villas, the villas of the Ambulatio and of Sosandra, with terraced rooms, painted corridors and gardens running down to the sea.

Over time the villas were converted into hotel-like structures for the visitors to the baths, and in the medieval period masonry basins were built for therapeutic baths. Thermal use gradually ceased, but the remains continued to attract travellers on the Grand Tour. Excavations, begun almost a century ago, have concentrated mainly around the three domed halls. The park is part of the Parco archeologico dei Campi Flegrei.

Highlights

• Domed hall known as the temple of Mercury, among the oldest concrete domes
• Domed halls of the temples of Diana and Venus
• Remains of the villas of the Ambulatio and of Sosandra
• Thermal rooms on the slope of the ancient crater
• Combined ticket “Circuito flegreo”

Permanent exhibition

• Terme romane di Baia – Route through the domed halls of the temples of Diana, Venus and Mercury and the remains of the Roman villas on the slope.

Operated by

Parco archeologico dei Campi Flegrei

Visitors per year

approx. 34,048

Admission & discounts

Tickets online via the Musei Italiani portal or at the totems at the entrance; online purchase is compulsory for groups of more than 10 visitors and for schools.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The site is partially accessible to people with motor disabilities; barrier-removal work is under way as part of the project “Il Parco apre i confini: oltre le barriere” (The park opens its borders: beyond barriers).

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

By car, take the Tangenziale di Napoli and exit at Pozzuoli/Arco Felice in the direction of Bacoli.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit