The Roman Baths of Baiae
The Roman Baths of Baiae
In the 1st century BC during the late Roman Republic it was used to surround the frigidarium or cold pool of the public baths According to 18th-century descriptions it appears to have six bays four of which are semicircular The dome has four central apertures or square apertures made of large tuff blocks and is the oldest surviving dome made of concrete The so-called "Temple of Mercury" consisted of a dome 21.5 meters in diameter, the largest dome before its construction Notable architectural features include the Therme of Sosandra the Temple of Diana the Temple of Mercury and the Temple of Venus all with glass interiors The archaeological park located behind the present-day Baya includes a portico a colonnade and a nymphaeum
The villa was occupied by several emperors from 100 BC to 500 AD. Baia Archaeological Park Temple of Mercury Entrance to the Temple of Mercury Baia a modern Roman residential resort in the Felgrian Plains resembles a dome with four windows In the ancient Roman Baths of Baia you'll find the Temple of Mercury located in the area of the same name in the lower part of the archaeological park The cold pools of the public baths An 18th-century description suggests that the temple once had six bays four of which were semicircular. Built of massive tuff blocks the temple consists of an oculus and four square skylights allowing natural light to enter The temple originally surrounded a frigidarium
Nearby are the remains of the Temple of Mercury discovered during excavations in 1875 and at the turn of the century The Temple of Mercury remained in existence until the 3rd century though if it remained in use until the 4th century its deterioration due to harsh weather conditions necessitated its consolidation and repairs The temple was probably closed during the "persecutions" of the pagans during the late Roman Empire The Temple of Mercury was a sanctuary in ancient Rome on the Aventine Hill dedicated to the god Mercury At the summit of the Puy de Dôme visitors can discover the ruins of one of the largest mountain temples in the Roman Empire Pliny the Elder reports that a large bronze statue was created for the Temple of Arverni by the sculptor Zenodorus One of these temples the Temple of Tourette d'Enval in Orcines is directly related to the complex of temples formed by the Puy de Dôme and the Chaysat Pass complex
Nearby are the remains of the Temple of Mercury discovered during excavations in 1875 and at the turn of the century The Temple of Mercury remained in existence until the 3rd century though if it remained in use until the 4th century its deterioration due to harsh weather conditions necessitated its consolidation and repairs The temple was probably closed during the "persecutions" of the pagans during the late Roman Empire The Temple of Mercury was a sanctuary in ancient Rome on the Aventine Hill dedicated to the god Mercury At the summit of the Puy de Dôme visitors can discover the ruins of one of the largest mountain temples in the Roman Empire Pliny the Elder reports that a large bronze statue was created for the Temple of Arverni by the sculptor Zenodorus One of these temples the Temple of Tourette d'Enval in Orcines is directly related to the complex of temples formed by the Puy de Dôme and the Chaysat Pass complex
This temple marked the beginning of the ascent to the summit and excavation ceased leaving the temple abandoned until efforts were made to protect it and designate it as a historical monument including clearing the area of debris from excavation material Restoration efforts aimed at preserving the ruins which had been exposed to the harsh climatic conditions were underway The first-century temple was destroyed around AD 150 and some of the material was used to construct a second temple located lower on the hill at an altitude of approximately 1,435 meters A 1975 excavation uncovered a small bronze plaque with a drawer handle bearing inscriptions dedicated to the emperor and the god Mercury
