Baths of Caracalla

"Give us the big picture: What’s the vibe of the place, what’s it like?The Baths of Caracalla were a massive public bathing complex built in the 3rd century. Throughout the year, the site is open during the day for visitors to stroll through ruins that were so magnificent they inspired the Main Concourse at Grand Central Terminal. Each summer, the city of Rome's Opera company performs at the Baths, using the towering brick ruins as a backdrop. The contrast of the ancient buildings, celebrated operas, and modern acoustics and lighting is stunning. What kinds of events can we see here?The program changes every year but the performances include operas, orchestral concerts, and ballets. The Baths are the summer home of the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma but the stage welcomes visiting companies and troupes as well. Nice. How are the seats?The seating is made up mostly of risers with decent sight lines. For the most comfortable seats, buy "Poltronissima" tickets located up front. Good for kids?The performances start at 9:00 p.m. and end quite late, so they probably aren't ideal for small children. If we’re going to be in town, what—and who—do you think this is best for?If you're into music and architecture, it's hard to imagine a better place in Rome to experience the two." - Katie Parla