Baths of Nero, Pisa
Historic Site in Pisa
Tucked away in Largo del Parlascio near Porta a Lucca, the Baths of Nero (Bagni di Nerone) are a compact but evocative window into Roman Pisa. Here, just outside the old city fabric, you can still see the remains of a 1st century AD bath complex where locals once came almost daily to wash, socialise and escape the heat. Standing among the brick and stone ruins, it is easy to picture steam rising from hot rooms, the murmur of conversation and the rhythm of life in what was once one of the things to do in Pisa for its Roman inhabitants.
Despite the misleading nickname, Nero never set foot here, and the baths in fact belong to the late 1st century AD, nearly two decades after his death. Their popular name probably ties into the legend of San Torpé, a Pisan martyr executed in 68 AD, whose story became entwined with this area over time. Today, the surviving laconicum (hot-air room) with its square base and octagonal interior, along with traces of the gymnasium, apodyterium and tepidarium, offers a rare chance to step right up to the fabric of a Roman spa without leaving the modern city, a site often visited on walking tours of Pisa that explore the quieter northern quarters.
Table of Contents
- History and Significance of the Baths of Nero
- Things to See and Do in the Baths of Nero
- How to Get to the Baths of Nero
- Practical Tips on Visiting the Baths of Nero
- Where to Stay close to the Baths of Nero
- Is the Baths of Nero Worth Visiting
- FAQs for Visiting Baths of Nero
- Nearby Attractions to the Baths of Nero
History and Significance of the Baths of Nero
The story of the Baths of Nero begins in the early Roman Imperial period, when Pisa was an important stop on coastal and inland routes and a modest but active urban centre. In the 1st century AD, a substantial bath complex was constructed here, drawing water from the Caldaccoli aqueduct, itself a feat of Roman engineering built to transport fresh water from the springs near San Giuliano Terme. Public baths were central to Roman daily life: not only places for hygiene, but also social hubs where business was discussed, friendships renewed and local news exchanged.
The name Bagni di Nerone is more folklore than fact. Stylistic and structural analysis dates the complex to the final decades of the 1st century, almost twenty years after Emperor Nero's death. Instead, the nickname likely grew out of local storytelling and the nearby cult of San Torpé, a Pisan soldier martyred in 68 AD whose memory became attached to this northern part of the city. Over centuries, the association with Nero stuck in popular imagination, even though archaeologists now treat it as a picturesque misnomer.
What makes the site especially interesting is the way it connects urban topography, infrastructure and everyday ritual. The Caldaccoli aqueduct brought water from outside the city, feeding the various bathing rooms that once stood here in a larger complex now mostly lost. The very name “Parlascio” hints at another layer: derived from a German word linked to bear baiting, it suggests that in medieval times the area may have been used for rough entertainment, long after the baths fell out of use. Today, the remaining structures serve as a compact open air classroom in Roman architecture and social history, right on the edge of modern Pisa.
Things to See and Do in the Baths of Nero
The most striking surviving feature is the laconicum, the hot air bath. From the outside it appears as a roughly square volume, but step closer and you notice the octagonal plan of the interior, a geometric choice loaded with symbolism about renewal and transition. Imagine this space filled with dry, heated air, perhaps perfumed with oils, where bathers sweated before moving on to other rooms in the cycle. The octagon’s clear articulation makes it particularly satisfying to photograph from different angles.
Around it you can make out parts of the broader bath circuit. Sections of walls, floor levels and foundations are interpreted as the gymnasium, where bathers would exercise before washing, the apodyterium or changing room and portions of the tepidarium, the warm intermediate bath that led either to hotter rooms or cooler pools. Even in fragmentary form, these remains help you reconstruct the classic Roman bathing sequence in your mind, from arrival and disrobing to exercise, heating, washing and cooling down.
Take a moment to think about the invisible infrastructure that once served this complex. The Caldaccoli aqueduct, originating near San Giuliano Terme, would have brought water across several kilometres to supply the baths and other urban needs. Knowing this, the site becomes more than a few scattered ruins: it becomes the visible tip of a much larger network of engineering and everyday practice. Combine your visit with a stroll through the Porta a Lucca area and along the nearby Lungarni, and you have a compact but rewarding exploration of a side of Pisa that many Leaning Tower day trippers never see.
How to Get to the Baths of Nero
If you are flying into the area, you will arrive at Pisa International Airport Galileo Galilei; from the airport you can take the people mover or a taxi to Pisa Centrale railway station, then continue by local bus or on foot towards Porta a Lucca and Largo del Parlascio, where the Baths of Nero are located. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Pisa on Booking.com.
By train, travel first to Pisa Centrale and then either walk (around 25-30 minutes) through the historic centre and out towards Porta a Lucca, or catch a city bus heading in that direction and get off near Largo del Parlascio; from there it is a short walk to the site. Use Omnio to easily compare schedules, book train tickets, and find the best prices all in one place for a hassle-free journey across Italy.
If you are driving, follow signs into Pisa and towards Porta a Lucca, then look for parking on nearby streets just outside any restricted traffic zones; once parked, you can easily walk to Largo del Parlascio and the ruins of the Baths of Nero. If you are looking to rent a car in Italy I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you.
Practical Tips on Visiting the Baths of Nero
- Suggested tips: Combine a quick stop at the Baths of Nero with a wider walk along the Lungarno and up towards the city walls and Porta a Lucca, so the ruins become part of a broader circuit of northern Pisa.
- Best time to visit: Late morning or late afternoon work well, when the light brings out the textures of the brick and stone, and temperatures are comfortable for exploring outdoors.
- Entrance fee: Free
- Opening hours: 24 hours
- How long to spend: Around 20-30 minutes is usually enough to walk the perimeter, examine the laconicum and surrounding walls, and take photos before moving on to other sights.
- Accessibility: The area around the ruins is mostly level, but expect some uneven ground and low walls; comfortable footwear is advisable, and wheelchair access may be limited in places.
- Facilities: There are no dedicated facilities at the baths themselves, so plan to use cafés, shops or services in the surrounding streets or closer to the city centre.
- Photography tip: Step back to capture the octagonal volume against the backdrop of modern Pisa, then move in closer for detail shots of brickwork, arches and surviving wall textures.
- Guided tours: Some local guides include the Baths of Nero on themed Roman or “hidden Pisa” itineraries, which can help you visualise the original complex and understand the link with the Caldaccoli aqueduct.
- Nearby food options: Look for small bars and bakeries on the route between the baths and the centre, where you can stop for a coffee or snack before continuing your walk.
Where to Stay close to the Baths of Nero
For easy access to the Baths of Nero and the northern side of Pisa's historic centre, consider staying near the Lungarno or around Porta a Lucca. A well located option within walking distance of both the ruins and the city core is Hotel Di Stefano, which sits in a quiet street but keeps you close to the walls and main sights. If you prefer to be nearer the Leaning Tower while still being able to walk out towards Largo del Parlascio, Grand Hotel Duomo offers a classic central base. Travellers arriving by train who want a straightforward route in and out of town might choose NH Pisa, then stroll via the Lungarni and Porta a Lucca to reach the Baths of Nero.
Is the Baths of Nero Worth Visiting
The Baths of Nero are a modest but worthwhile stop if you are interested in the Roman layer of Pisa's history and want to see more than just the medieval and Renaissance highlights. While the remains are fragmentary, the surviving laconicum and scattered walls come alive when you imagine them as part of a busy 1st century spa, fed by an aqueduct and woven into the rhythms of daily urban life. Standing here, at the edge of the old city near Porta a Lucca, you get a sense of how Pisa extended beyond its famous piazzas and how much of its past lies just below the modern surface. For historically minded travellers, adding this site to a half day walk around the northern districts gives welcome depth to a Pisa itinerary.
What Other Travellers Say...
Baths of Nero at Largo Parlascio 14 in Pisa is a modest archaeological site amid a lively food area; visitors say it's a pleasant stop if you're exploring the city and nearby eateries, though some find little to see and note limited onsite information and locked gates that prevent close access, while others mention the immediate area can be busy with traffic and that nearby restaurants offer good, authentic and reasonably priced food with multilingual staff.
FAQs for Visiting Baths of Nero
Nearby Attractions to the Baths of Nero
- Porta a Lucca: One of Pisa's historic gates, marking the northern access to the city and giving context to the baths' location near the old walls.
- Lungarni of Pisa: Scenic embankments along the Arno, ideal for a relaxed stroll connecting the northern districts with the city centre.
- Campo dei Miracoli: The famous square with the Leaning Tower, cathedral, baptistery and Camposanto, reachable on foot for a classic contrast between Roman ruins and medieval marble.
- Church of Santa Maria della Spina: A small but ornate riverside church showcasing Pisan Gothic architecture, perfect to pair with a Lungarno walk.
- Narrow Street (Borgo Stretto): A medieval shopping street with arcades, boutiques and markets, offering a lively change of scene after exploring the quiet ruins.
The Baths of Nero appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Pisa!
Moira & Andy
Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!
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Planning Your Visit
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Nearby Attractions
- Palazzo dei Cavalieri (0.3) km
Palace - Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri (0.4) km
Church - Museo dell'Opera del Duomo (0.4) km
Museum - Leaning Tower of Pisa (0.4) km
Historic Building and Tower - Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta (0.5) km
Cathedral - Orto Botanico dell’Università di Pisa (0.5) km
Gardens - Borgo Stretto (0.5) km
Street - Campo dei Miracoli (0.6) km
Historic Site and Square - Camposanto Monumentale (0.6) km
Historic Building - Battistero di San Giovanni (0.6) km
Historic Building
