Baiae was an ancient Roman town situated on the northwest shore of the Gulf of Naples and now in the comune of Bacoli. It was a fashionable resort for centuries in antiquity, particularly towards the end of the Roman Republic, when it was reckoned as superior to Capri, Pompeii, and Herculaneum by wealthy Romans, who built villas here from 100 BC. Ancient authors attest that many emperors built in Baia, almost in competition with their predecessors and they and their courts often stayed there. It was notorious for its hedonistic offerings and the attendant rumours of corruption and scandal.
Thermal baths of the sector of Sosandra
Satellite view of area
Wall painting from Stabiae, of harbour of Stabiae or Puteoli, 1st century
Aphrodite of Baiae. Donated to the National Museum in 1924. The neck, head and right arm were restored by Antonio Canova. Roman version 2nd century AD of the type "Syracuse Aphrodite", 4th century BC. (National Archaeological Museum Athens)
Tourism in ancient Rome was limited to the Roman upper class due to its expense and long travel times. Travel was made increasingly difficult due to shipwrecks, storms, poor maps, and a lack of modern transportation methods. Common destinations for ancient Roman tourists were Greece, Egypt, and the coast of Campania. Roman tourists sought out sites in Greece of cultural and historical importance, such as the numerous Greco-Roman temples and the athletic games such as the Olympics. Egypt was one of the most popular destinations for Roman tourists; they were enticed by their perception of Egypt as exotic and foreign. Roman travelers toured Egypt to observe sites such as the Pyramids and to visit cities such as Alexandria or Luxor. Wealthy Romans would spend the hottest parts of the year in villas outside of the city of Rome or in resort towns such as Baiae. During the same summertime months, non-Romans would travel to Rome to see the many monuments and structures throughout the city.
Model of Olympia, the home city of the ancient Olympic games
The Egyptian pyramids were popular tourist attractions for the ancient Romans
Ancient Roman villa in Baiae
1st-century CE Engraving of Athena Parthenos by the philosopher Aspasius