Esedra della Palestra orientale e Aula termale absidata
Vle della Domus Aurea, 1, 00184 Roma RM
Rating: 5.0 ★ (1 rating)
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The exedras of the central body of the Baths of Trajan—which are the part you see here—are an important feature of the Colle Oppio Park. That's why I added the site to Maps, and with this FIRST review, I'll explain why. The largest space is a thirty-meter-wide exedra with a beautiful semi-domed roof decorated with square coffers. Beneath it is a black-and-white mosaic floor with floral designs, which was raised on pillars to circulate hot air, similar to underfloor heating. The hot air also rose into the niches thanks to terracotta pipes in the wall. In front of the exedra was a colonnade and then an open space surrounded by a portico, which was likely one of the baths' gymnasiums. The triangular-shaped side spaces still preserve the stairs leading to the upper floors. Next to it is a rectangular room with a truly unique mosaic: a hunting scene with wild beasts, including a wounded lion, another beast mauling a fighter, and even a hunter holding the palm of victory and the name "CVPIDO" written next to it. Finally, a little further south, there is another structure with an apse and niches, which was part of the heated area of the thermal baths. In short, a place where you can sti
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