Circus Maximus, Baths of Caracalla, Roman Houses at Cealium

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The archeological sites of the Baths of Caracalla and of the Roman Houses at Cealium are off the beaten path. Let our expert, English-speaking guide take you to these wonderful archaeological sites where you can learn so much about the history of Rome, and admire its ancient glory.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Licensed English speaking guide
English speaking tour leader who will assist you during the tour
Small group of 15 pax or fewer
Ticket of the Baths of Caracalla
Ticket of the Roman Houses at Cealium
Headsets so you can always hear your guide
“Apericena” in one of our selected spots to “Do as the Romans do”

HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH US:

WhatsApp infoline +393801944534
booking@iviaggidialuve.com
doastheromansdo@gmail.com

TOUR DETAILS: 

WE  START THIS TOUR FROM THE CIRCUS MAXIMUS

The Circus Maximus was a chariot racetrack in Rome first constructed in the 6th century BC,  located in the valley between the Palatine and Aventine hills. It is the oldest and largest public space in Rome and legend says that the Circus was originally laid out in the 6th century BC by the first Roman kings, although, it first took on its distinctive shape under Julius Caesar.  It hosted also the Roman Games (Ludi Romani) which honoured Jupiter. These were the oldest games in the city and were held every September with 15 days of chariot races and military processions.  At its largest during the 1st century AD,  following its rebuilding after the fire of 64 AD, the Circus had a capacity for 250,000 spectators.  The outside of the circus presented an impressive front of arcades in which shops would have served the needs of the spectators.  The chariots themselves were colour-coded (red, white, green and blue) and could be pulled by teams of 4, 6, 8 or 12 horses. The last official chariot race at the Circus Maximus was in 549 AD.

The site was then largely abandoned, since the first excavations were carried out under Pope Sixtus V in 1587 AD and the two egiptian obelisks which had originally stood in the middle of the Circus  were recovered. One dates to c. 1280 BC and the second obelisk dates back to c. 1504-1450 AD.  Also in 1930, the site was again excavated, a process which continued between 1978 and 1988 CE. Original seats were revealed. However, they were re-covered and now lie some 9 m under the present ground level. The curved seat end continues to be excavated today whilst the main part of the circus is still used for large public events such as concerts and rallies.

THE TOUR CONTINUES AT THE BATHS OF CARACALLA 

How about spending a couple of  hours in complete relax, just as the ancient Romans did nearly 2,000 years ago?  Let’s go to the Baths of Caracalla then! They are hosted in a green, quiet and safe place.

Built between the years 212 and 216 under the eagis of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus, commonly known as Emperor Caracalla, the Baths of Caracalla were one of the greatest and more magnificent thermal complexes in ancient times.  Altough  today only the brick walls and  the large collapsed vaults are left, the splendour of the Baths of Caracalla is still preserved. The baths was an absolute architectural wonder, if you keep in mind the date of construction.  The building had a rectangular plan and placed around the centre the areas of the SPA were in sequential order: the “Calidarium”, the “Tepidarium”, the “Frigidarium” and the “Natatio”. Manuscripts refer to enormous marble columns, glass and marble mosaic  floors, marble on the walls, painted stuccos and hundreds of statues.   Thermal bath were provided of an efficient water supply systems, as well as heating and drainage systems. The wood-fired ovens, fed by the slaves, heated the floors and walls of the baths, in addition to the water.  In spite of the centuries and the lootings that the baths suffered, the ground floor of the building and a large part of the impressive walls that formed the precinct remain. By using your imagination and with the help of our expert guide, it is possible to submerge yourself in the splendour of the past ages.

The baths could easily accommodate over 6ooo people, who came there to bathe, exercise, play board games, swim in Olympic size pools, mingle and socialize or get massages and all kinds of treatments. For the first time, men and women of Rome, could go to the baths at the same time using two different sections. The archaeological site of Roman Baths of Caracalla is also off the beaten path, and we often find it empty and quiet. Let our expert, English-speaking guide take you to these wonderful archaeological sites where you can learn so much about the history of Rome, and admire its ancient glory.

FROM THE AVENTINE HILL  TO THE CEALIUM HILL:  THE ROMAN HOUSES!

With this tour, our expert, English-speaking guide will take you to two of the seven hills of Rome, Caelian Hill and Aventine Hill.  The last leg of this half day tour is an ancient Roman house (Case Romane) on Caelian Hill, buried underneath an ancient Basilica. Case Romane is an archaeological site underneath an ancient, minor Basilica dedicated to two Roman soldiers and eunuchs of Constantia (Constantine’s daughter), Giovanni and Paolo, who lived and were martyred there in the 4^th century AD. Case Romane consists of twenty rooms, ten of which are beautifully decorated with frescoes and in some cases still have the original mosaic floors. This ancient Roman house was discovered during the excavations of 1887 which were undertaken in order to find the tombs and the relics of Giovanni and Paolo, believed to had been martyred there. Caelian hill is a little oasis in the very centre of Rome, two minutes away from the Colosseum. Inhabited since the early days of Roman Empire it is a place unknown to tourists. It is almost like being in a small village, without all the noise of the city.

DO AS THE ROMANS DO

After the walking tour, I Viaggi di Aluvè will be glad to show you “As the Romans do”. The Tour Leader will have the pleasure to bring you to one of the restaurant in Trastevere, where Romans go to an “Apericena”. What’s an Apericena? It’s something related with food and drink and nowadays Romans’ lifestyle. Enjoy …

The tour lasts: 

4 hours for Circus Maximus, Baths of Caracalla and Roman Houses at Cealium.

1 hour for the apericena

PRICE PER PERSON: € 70.00

WHAT’S INCLUDED:
Licensed English speaking guide
English speaking tour leader who will assist you during the tour
Small group of 15 pax or fewer
Tickets to the Baths of Caracalla
Tickets to the Roman Houses at cealium
Headsets so you can always hear your guide
Apericena in one of our selected spots to “Do as the Romans do”
Insurance

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:

Shuttle service to and from the Hotel (we can provide extra charge)
Any additional services not previously listed

DRESS CODE:  Casual with comfortable shoes

OPERATING ON: Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon

HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH US:

WhatsApp infoline +393801944534
booking@iviaggidialuve.com
doastheromansdo@gmail.com

Please be informed that the tour will take place only if the minimum pax number of 10 will be reached.

Would you like to continue visiting Rome with us? Take at look at our morning tour at Colosseum (standar access), Roman Forum and Palatine Hill:

COLOSSEUM, ROMAN FORUM, PALATINE HILL #2

or at our morning tour at Colosseum (top tiers and underground access) Roman Forum and Palatine Hill:

COLOSSEUM, ROMAN FORUM, PALATINE HILL #1