Sphaeristerium

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

File:Pallone col bracciale.jpg

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: wide and long for the pallone col bracciale, and and for the pallone elastico.

References

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: 

• Information pertinent to Macerata's sferisterio Template:In lang