Roman Baths of Como – Como, Italy - Atlas Obscura

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Roman Baths of Como

This 1st-century CE Roman bath sits under a carpark.  

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Excavations on this site first began during the 1970s. A carpark was added much later, constructed to suspend over the ruins of the 1st-century CE baths.

Visitors can view the ruins from two streets and the site can be visited on a series of elevated walkways. These allow guests to see the remains in their full glory and the excavation work taking place. Two small showrooms with explanatory panels preserve a selection of artifacts discovered during excavations from 2006-2008. 

The baths are believed to have been the largest outside of Rome, covering an area of about 1,500 square meters. It was constructed with donations from Pliny the Younger, a politician from Como who held various positions throughout the empire. 

The site was extended during the 2nd-century, but by the end of the 3rd-century, the baths were dismantled with the floors, decorations, and infrastructure removed. Other building materials were also dismantled. The site was later used as a necropolis. 

Know Before You Go

Visits to the site are free of charge without a vehicle, check for carpark opening times.

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February 18, 2021

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