Inaugurated in Rome under the Roman emperor Caracalla (211-217) in 216 AD, the baths of Caracalla, are the largest and the most luxuous baths ever built at that time. In addition to the bath equipments, this complex offered various activities and was more a leisure centre, hence its gigantic size. It covered more than 10 ha and has room for more than 1600 people and 64 citerns each containing 80 000 litres. These are a few characteristics of the Baths of Caracalla. Today it is the best preserved bath building . The ruins strike by their colossal aspect.