Parco Archeologico di Baia

The baths complex of Baia, now situated within the Archaeological Park, was built at the behest of Augustus, the first Roman emperor (27 BC – 14 AD). It consists of the striking ruins of the baths and impressive feats of hydraulic engineering. The most significant monuments include the following: the Temple of Diana, which was used for bathing and was decorated with marble friezes depicting hunting scenes; the Temple of Mercury which consisted of two groups of buildings that are not well-known because it is partly submerged while another part was destroyed by more recent buildings; the Temple of Venus, a thermal bath structure with a circular plan on the inside and an octagonal plan on the outside which was originally covered by a ribbed vault; and lastly the Baths of Sosandra which are arranged with terraces, residential buildings with walks and gardens surrounded by colonnades.