La Piscina Romana di Corso Bagni

The large pool—the remains of which were discovered near what is now Corso Bagni—formed an important part of a vast bath complex dating back to the Roman Imperial period. Discovered in 1913 during the construction of the new porticoes, immediately south of the Hotel Nuove Terme, the structure was only partially explored at the time before being partially reburied and partially incorporated into the basement of the building then under construction. Further excavations carried out in the 1970s revealed the presence of other notable structures, suggesting an extension of the bath complex to the north. Only with the latest research (completed in 2001) was the pool finally fully exposed and the hypothesis of a larger thermal complex of which it was part confirmed. This complex likely occupied a considerable area (probably extending as far as today's Piazza Italia), but unfortunately, much of it is hidden or destroyed due to the continued presence of people in the area in the modern era. The baths, along with the nearby amphitheater (the precise location of which dates back to the 1950s but remains completely unexplored to this day), occupied a peripheral neighborhood of the ancient Aquae Statiellae, outside the Roman settlement but easily accessible via the Via Aemilia Scauri. The pool is rectangular in shape and considerable in size (13 x 6.5 meters). The pool is carved directly into the rock and enclosed by a massive perimeter wall of stone chips that supported the roof. Access could be gained from any side, as the entire perimeter wall surrounding it features three steps of varying heights, from which one could descend into the pool. On the long sides, it is bordered by a wide corridor, while on the short sides, there is a much narrower passage. Originally, the space was covered by a vaulted ceiling covered in colored glass mosaics (large quantities of which were found during excavations) and boasted large windows protected by glass. The pool, perhaps supplied directly by water from the "Bollente" spring, served as a large calidarium within the baths, an artificially heated room for hot baths. The pool was finished with high-quality materials. The bottom and steps of the pool were covered with white marble slabs, and other marbles, including colored ones, decorated the elevation: often imported marble from Greece or Asia Minor. PLEASE NOTE: THE SITE IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC DUE TO STRUCTURAL WORK.