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Baths of Diocletian
The Baths of Diocletian (Thermae Diocletiani) in Rome were the grandest
of the public baths, or thermae built by successive emperors.
Diocletian's Baths, dedicated in 306, were the largest and most
sumptuous of the imperial baths and remained in use until the aqueducts
that fed them were cut by the Goths in 537. Similar in size and plan to
those of Caracalla, they are well preserved because various parts later
were converted to ecclesiastical or other use. The complex now houses
the basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri (in the
tepidarium), the church of San Bernardo alle Terme (in one of the two
circular rooms), and part of the Museo Nazionale Romano (National Roman
Museum). The three soaring vaults of the basilica's transept provide,
one of the few glimpses of the original splendor of Roman building. It
was oriented to the southwest so that solar energy heated the caldarium
without affecting the frigidarium. Other remains of the baths are
visible several streets away.
From: www.wikipedia.org
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