If you are in Naples and you have a full day left, here is a suggestive and romantic place to visit. In the post all the tips for a day visit to Bacoli, from the thermal baths of Baia to the Casina Vanvitelliana sul Fusaro.
In the post, I will tell you what to do a day in Bacoli: from the thermal baths of Baia to the Casina Vanvitelliana sul Fusaro. For those who are in Naples and also have one more day to dedicate to the surroundings, the Campi Flegrei area worth a visit. The ancient Roman Baths of Baia in particular, they are truly splendid. It is one of the most interesting and scenic archaeological sites.
The Roman Baths of Baia in Bacoli
The site is located in Bacoli and can be reached by car. From the center of Naples, you can also take the Cumana from the Montesanto station towards Torregaveta, getting off at the Fusaro stop. From here it is about 700 meters on foot. The park of the Baths of Baia di Bacoli is part of the complex of Archaeological Park of the Phlegraean Fields which includes the Flavian Amphitheater of Pozzuoli, the Archaeological Park of Cuma and the Archaeological Museum of the Phlegraean Fields. The latter in particular, is located near the thermal baths, at the Castle of Baia.
Terme di Baia in Bacoli: a unique setting
The visit to the Terme di Baia lasts about an hour and the ticket is really low cost. In addition to the remains of the Roman era, which testify to the complexity of the structure of the baths designed by the Romans, the beauty of the site also lies in its layout. In fact, it overlooks the sea with a panorama that includes theentire Gulf of Bacoli and which, in good weather, can truly offer a breathtaking view. The baths had a completely terraced structure which, following the slope of the hill, reached up to sea level.
The layout of the Bacoli Baths
The main nuclei of the entire complex are: the Villa dell'Ambulatio, the Baths of Sosandra, the Temple of Venus, the Temple of Mercury and, finally, the complex of the Small Baths. In addition to the walls in opus reticulatum, in some parts of the Villa dell'Ambulatio, the floors made up of mosaic tiles have been well preserved. In some places, frescoed walls are still visible.
Noteworthy is the Temple of Mercury, an area that was later discovered, to be used as a frigidarium, a pool of cold water. Here, thanks to the bradyseism effect, a phenomenon whereby the water level reaches the vault, you can witness a perfect echo. For this reason this room, which inside is characterized by a circular plan with a dome, has always been nicknamed by the Neapolitans precisely the Temple of the Echo. The thermal baths of Baia can be visited from Tuesday to Sunday with times that vary according to the season.
Casina Vanvitelliana: pearl on Lake Fusaro
In the surroundings of the Terme di Baia, it is also possible to visit a particularly scenic place: the Casina Vanvitelliana. The small house, with pale blue walls, is very suggestive thanks to its location on Lake Fusaro. La Casina is connected to the mainland by a small bridge. The complex was born as a hunting and fishing estate, commissioned by Ferdinand IV of Bourbon who, in 1700, entrusted the work to Luigi Vanvitelli, also author of the Royal Palace of Caserta. The complex can be visited with a short guided tour after a symbolic contribution. The advice is to visit the estate at sunset, when the atmosphere, thanks also to the reflections of light in the waters of the Fusaro, becomes very romantic and suggestive. The estate can be visited on Saturday afternoons, Sundays and public holidays for the whole day.
