The Roman Baths at Bath, England, a near 2000 year old site.

The Great Bath


This evening, I am posting information on one of the finest spas of the ancient world and which now forms part of a World Heritage Site.

The Roman Baths at Bath, S.W. England, were originally constructed around AD 60 and were in use through to the end of Roman rule in AD410, possibly longer.

Artist's impression of bath complex circa AD400.

 
Key features of the site are:
  • Terrace overlooking the Great Bath. This is lined with statues of Governors of Roman Britain which date from the 19th century.
  • Sacred Spring from which emanates 1.1m litres of water each day at 46 degrees Centigrade.
 Naturally heated water entering the Great Bath


  • The Roman Spring which was formed by surrounding the natural spring with an irregular stone chamber lined with lead. In the second century it was enclosed with a barrel vaulted building.
  • The Temple, which was dedicated to the Roman goddess, Sulis Minerva.
  • The Temple courtyard, a sacred area surrounding the Temple.
  • The Great Bath, a pool lined with fort five sheets of lead and filled wit hot spring water. This was once contained within a barrel-vaulted hall rising to a height of forty metres. The bath is 1.6m deep.
  • The East Baths which contained heated rooms, swimming pools and changing rooms.
  • The West Baths which contained a series of pools, heated rooms and a cold plunge.
Reenactment Roman lady 


Simulated Roman bathing experience


Latin inscription from the Roman period


Circular Bath


Image of the head of goddess, Minerva which was found at the site


Bath can be accessed from London within a day. 

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