Things to do

Esedra della Palestra orientale e Aula termale absidata

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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Esedra della Palestra orientale e Aula termale absidata represents a remarkable archaeological feature within the sprawling ruins of the Baths of Trajan on Rome's Colle Oppio. This monumental site combines a grand semicircular exedra, a public gathering space, with an adjacent heated thermal hall, providing a tangible glimpse into the social and architectural sophistication of ancient Rome. It offers visitors a profound sense of the past, characterised by the imposing scale of imperial engineering and the serene atmosphere of a historical landscape, making it a compelling stop for anyone exploring the city's rich heritage.

Visitors can explore the impressive dimensions of the exedra, which still retains portions of its original semi-dome roof and fragments of intricate black and white mosaic flooring adorned with floral patterns. Evidence of the advanced Roman hypocaust heating system, where warm air circulated beneath the floors and through terracotta pipes within the walls, is also discernible. Furthermore, an adjoining rectangular room reveals a captivating mosaic depicting a dynamic hunting scene, complete with a wounded lion and a fighter identified by the inscription "CUPIDO". The "Aula termale absidata" itself stands as a tall structure, featuring a straight eastern wall and an apse with two semicircular niches, underscoring its role as a heated component of the vast bath complex.

This site is particularly well-suited for history enthusiasts, classical architecture aficionados, and those keen to understand the daily lives and engineering prowess of the Roman Empire. It offers a rewarding experience for curious travellers seeking to delve deeper into Rome's ancient ruins, providing a comprehensive understanding of imperial thermal complexes and their societal importance. The overall appeal lies in its grand scale, the remarkable preservation of architectural details, and the illustrative mosaic art that together tell a compelling story of Roman leisure and monumental construction.

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Comments

Roberto Cecchini

7 Apr 2026

5.0 ★

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 still breathe in the atmosphere of the ancient baths, amidst mosaics, warm air, and stories of gladiators. Need some useful info? Then leave a like and look for other reviews on Rome and beyond.