Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
quisite floor mosaics, a beautifully stuccoed
balneum
(bathroom), an outdoor theatre and
the impressive Tempio di Mercurio, its oculus-punctured dome predating Rome's Pan-
theon.
The dome once covered a
frigidarium
(cold-water pool), located approximately 7m be-
low the current water level. It would have been a glorious sight, its walls covered in
marble and its dome glittering with mosaics.
At the time of research, weekend visitors to the site were required to pre-purchase their
tickets at the Museo Archeologico dei Campi Flegrei (
Click here
)
. It's worth calling
ahead to confirm any changes. To get here on public transport, catch the Cumana train to
Fusaro station and walk 150m north to Via Fusaro. From here, the site is a 900m walk east
along Via Fusaro. Alternatively, from Via Fusaro, you can catch a Miseno-bound
EAVBUS bus, which run roughly every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday and every hour
on Sunday to the site, and on to Bacoli, home of the Piscina Mirabilis (
Click here
)
.
Museo Archeologico
MUSEUM, CASTLE
dei Campi Flegrei
Offline map
(Archaeological Museum of the Campi Flegrei; 081 523 37 97;
ht-
tp://museoarcheologicocampiflegrei.campaniabeniculturali.it
;
Via Castello 39; admission
€4 Sat & Sun, free Tue-Fri; varies, usually 9am-1pm Tue-Sun; EAV BUS to Baia)
One of Naples' lesser-known gems, the Archaeological Museum of the Campi Flegrei de-
livers local ancient treasures without the crowds. Among the highlights is a bewitching
nymphaeum, dredged up from underwater Baiae and skilfully reassembled. Monuments
consecrated to the nymphs, nymphaeums were a popular spot to tie the proverbial knot.
Other highlights include a bronze equestrian statue of the Emperor Domitian (altered to
resemble his more popular successor Nerva upon his deposition), as well as finds from
Rione Terra.
The museum sits in the Castello di Baia, built in the late 15th century by the Aragonese
as a defence against possible French invasion. Later enlarged by Spanish viceroy Don
Pedro de Toledo, it served as a military orphanage for most of the 20th century. The bay
views are sublime.
It's always worth calling ahead as the museum's opening times are notoriously fickle.
Terme Stufe di Nerone
Offline map
SPA
