Ancient site · Italy · Partial ruin

Baia

Baiae is an ancient Roman resort town on the northwest shore of the Gulf of Naples, famed for imperial villas and large thermal-bath complexes. Much of its lower town later became submerged by bradyseismic activity; surviving remains on the crater slope include domed bath buildings, villa terraces and a coastal harbour area. The site today is an archaeological park combining land ruins and underwater remains.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

AD 130

Today

Partial ruin

As it stood in AD 130

What Baia looked like in its prime.

A coastal cluster of light-coloured villa facades and terraced gardens climbing a green, volcanic crater slope above a shallow lagoon; scattered monumental domes of tuff and concrete rise among pines and palms, some with oculi and arched clerestory windows. Low concrete piers and ruined quays project into the water; fragments of colonnades, mosaic floors and stuccoed drum walls sit amid rubble and grassy terraces. The palette is pale tuff, weathered stucco, marble highlights, dark slate roofs and Mediterranean greens.

Step inside

11 places to explore in AD 130.

The record describes 11 distinct spots at Baia — including 3 interiors: temple of mercury — frigidarium interior, temple of venus — inner circular hall and pool, baths of sosandra — cellar with plaster casts. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and walk through every one — more scenes means more photos, more angles and more of the immersive experience.

Coastal road overlook over the Baianus lacusLower slope terraces and villa facadesTemple of Mercury — exterior domeTemple of Mercury — frigidarium interiorTemple of Venus — octagonal drum and windowsTemple of Venus — inner circular hall and poolVenus forecourt and annex circular roomsTemple of Diana — ogival domeBaths of Sosandra — cellar with plaster castsPortus Julius — concrete piers and channelPromontory viewpoint near the castle

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