'''Sphaeristerium''' (Latin; from the Greek σφαιριστήριον; from σφαῖρα, ball) is a term in Classical architecture given to a large open space connected with the Roman thermae for exercise with balls after the bather had been anointed. They were also provided in Roman villas.
== Sports == [[Image:Pallone col bracciale.jpg|right|thumb|Sferisterio delle Cascine at Florence, 19th century]]
In Italian ''sferisterio'' is nowadays the courtfield for tamburello and two different pallone varieties: ''pallone col bracciale'' and ''pallone elastico''. These are rectangular smooth grounds with a high wall on one of the long sides. Sizes change depending on the variety: {{convert|16|meters}} wide and {{convert|86|meters}} long for the ''pallone col bracciale'', and {{convert|18|meters}} and {{convert|90|meters}} for the ''pallone elastico''.
==References== {{EB1911|wstitle=Sphaeristerium}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20071230061136/http://www.cmviaggi.it/stagionelirica.asp Information pertinent to Macerata's sferisterio] {{in lang|it|en}}
Category:Ancient Roman architectural elements Category:Sport in ancient Rome