New Year's Eve at archaeological sites: extraordinary opening on January 1 in Rome

Start the year 2025 under the banner of great archaeology in the Capital: this is the invitation of the Special Superintendence of Rome, which is participating in the “Happy Holidays at the Museum” initiative promoted by the Ministry of Culture, offering on January 1 theextraordinary opening of the Baths of Caracalla, the Syriac Sanctuary, the Villa of Livia and the Arch of Malborghetto.

The archaeological sites along the Via Flaminia tell the story of two crucial moments in Roman history: the Villa of Livia, the private retreat ofEmperor Augustus and his wife Livia Drusilla, was an ideal place to get away from public engagements. The Arch of Malborghetto, surrounded by nature, on the other hand, is linked to the famous night when, before the Battle of Ponte Milvio,Emperor Constantine is said to have had a vision of the cross accompanied by the phrase in hoc signo vinces. Adopting Christian symbols, Constantine defeated Maxentius and became emperor.

Moving to the slopes of Villa Sciarra, the Syriac Sanctuary represents a fascinating testimony to the mystery cults of oriental origin in late antiquity, an evocative place recently reopened to the public after careful conservation restoration.

Among Rome’s imperial baths, those of Caracalla are the best preserved, with an impressive structure that includes the Calidarium, Tepidarium, Frigidarium and Natatio. These thermal environments are immersed in a vast park, where even on January 1 it will be possible to admire the Mirror of Water, with its scenic fountains and misting.

Baths of Caracalla
hours 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., last admission 2:30 p.m.

Villa of Livia and Arch of Malborghetto, free admission
hours 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., last admission 2:30 p.m.

Syriac Sanctuary, free admission
hours 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., last admission 2:30 p.m.

Pictured, Baths of Caracalla. Photo by Fabio Caricchia

New Year's Eve at archaeological sites: extraordinary opening on January 1 in Rome

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