Next to the cathedral of Bath lies one of THE tourist attractions of England – the Roman Baths.
The Romans in Bath
In 836BC the British king Bladud discovered the natural hot springs and built the first Moorish baths around these springs. After the Roman invasion, they also took over the springs and built the temple around them in 60–70 AD. Further constructions were added in the next 300 years – the huge Roman Baths complex we can visit today.
In 43AD Britain was invaded by the Romans and by 75AD they had built a religious spa complex on the site, which later developed into a bathing and socialising centre called Aquae Sulis, ‘the waters of Sulis’. (The Culture Trip)
The Romans created a number of chambers including the baths, ancient heated rooms and plunge pools. But after the Roman withdrawal from Britain in the early 5th century the bath complex was neglected and left to fall into ruins until it was destroyed by floodings.
The Victorians
In the 17th century, doctors started to prescribe drinking the thermal waters
for internal conditions and illnesses. The first Pump Room opened in 1706, allowing patients to access water directly from the spring – it’s now a beautiful restaurant! (The Culture Trip)
View of the Pumproom on the right.
In 1878 Major Charles Davis discovered the remains of the Roman spa and worked to uncover more over the next few years until they were opened to the public in 1897. But the excavations are still going on.
Now open to the elements, the green water is algae affected, the effect of direct sunlight. In Roman times the bath was covered by a 20m-high roof, and the water would have been rather more inviting.
There is a great deal more to take in, including changing rooms, saunas with underfloor heating systems on display, and plunge pools. Even more riveting is the temple courtyard… (The Telegraph)
It was such a cold day and the warmth of the water seemed so inviting, some areas were even bubbling and slightly cooking.
At the end of the walking around tour, there is even a possibility to drink the thermal water and to be honest it doesn´t taste good at all! It must be very healthy!
