Roman Baths and Abbey, Bath, Somerset, England

The Roman Baths is a well preserved Roman site in the English city of Bath which was used for bathing. The fundamental element of the baths is the sacred spring where hot water (at a temperature of 460°C) rises at the rate of 1,170,000 litres every day. A phenomenon which could only be the work of the gods to the people in ancient times.

The Celts were the first to build a shrine on the site of the sacred spring, which was dedicated to the goddess Sulis, who the Romans identified with Minerva. Following the Roman invasion, the name Sulis continued to be used and the Roman name of the town was Aquae Sulis, meaning the water of Sulis.

The Roman temple was built in 60-70AD and over the following 300 years the complex was built up. The healing powers of the goddess and the mineral-rich water from the spring attracted visitors from across the Roman Empire. It is believed that the Roman baths were destroyed, after many years of being in disrepair, in the 6th century.

Since this time, the baths have been modified on a number of occasions. In the 12th century, John of Tours built a curative bath over the King's Spring reservoir and in the 16th century,a Queen's Bath was added to the south of the spring. In the 18th century, John Wood the Elder and John Wood the Younger designed the building which now houses the spring.
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The ancient Roman Baths were rediscovered and excavated in the late 18th century, which was an important archaeological find. They continue to be one of Bath's main attractions.

Roman Baths and Abbey I, Bath, Somerset, England
by OldeWorldGifts

Vintage photomechanical print of Roman Baths and Abbey, Bath in Somerset, England, which was taken towards the end of the 19th century. The photograph shows the baths originally founded by the Romans in 75 AD, with the Georgian building erected in the 18th century when bathing became popular in England again. The Bath Abbey can be also be seen in the photo. Photograph courtesy LOC (LC-DIG-ppmsc-07995). Visit OldeWorldGifts to see the full range of products featuring this vintage photochrom of the Roman Baths and Abbey in Bath, England.