Roman Baths

The Roman Baths at Bath is the best preserved ancient temple complex and bath in northern Europe. Thermal springs emerge deep underground, bringing health and vitality to this beautiful city. Here are a few shots of downtown Bath, England.

Some history about the origin of the baths. Prince Bladud was said to have contracted leprosy and was banished from the court and took up work as a country swineherd. In time, he noticed when his pigs went to wallow in the steaming swamp they emerged cleansed of their warts and sores. He plunged himself into the waters and scampered out with his skin free of imperfections. Prince Bladud gave thanks to the curative springs and was accepted back into his father's court.

The famous statues represent Roman emperors and generals including Constantine, Claudius, Hadrian and Suetonius Paulinus who defeated Queen Boudicca.

During prudish times, Emperor Hadrian passed a law forbidding mixed bathing. Despite the different bathing hours for men and women, people would sit in the alcoves listening to the issues of the day, play board games, eat and drink. They would have entertainers like musicians and jugglers preform. Bathing was a noisy, lively pastime.

The Bath bathhouses are more complete than other areas of towns in the province.

The continuous gush of hot mineral water bursting from the depths below have always been a subject of wonder.

Hot bubbling pools of murky green water flowing from a narrow stream creating a blanket of wisping steam.

The first shrine at the site of the hot springs was built by Celts,and was dedicated to the goddess Sulis, whom the Romans identified with Minerva.The name Sulis continued to be used after the Roman invasion, leading to the town's Roman name of Aquae Sulis (literally, "the waters of Sulis").

Several people dedicated alters to the Goddess. They would have sacrificed wine or a small animal.

Lead and pewter letters or "curses" were written on and thrown into the Sacred Spring petitioning to the Goddess. Recovered inscriptions recorded from local people and well traveled pilgrims. Some letters wrote of undying love while others cursed the person who stole their favorite robe.

The gilded bronze head from the statue of Sulis Minerva that once stood inside the temple where only the priests would attend to her.

The spa water is colorless but carries 43 minerals. The distinctive green hue is from the algae growth caused by the heat.

The extensive aquifer system built leads to the many different chambers.

We were told you shouldn't touch the water. So, we touched the water. Seeing the water, smelling the slightly salty air, hearing the random bubbling of the water and touching the warmth of the water was a bittersweet feeling. The history is here and now we feel apart of it.

The circular bath is where you came to take a cold plunge and rinse off after your visit to the steam room. The Romans knew how to freshen up and close their pores to rejuvenate their skin.

This hypocaust, or underfloor heating system, supported the West baths. The word literally means "fire beneath", from the Greek hypo meaning underneath, and kaiein, to burn or light a fire. The hypocaust system is used to heat buildings with hot air.

The original baths were exquisite with their simplicity. The Romans took on this huge project needing surveyors, engineers, plumbers and an array of tradesmen to employ. Medieval medical practice encouraged bathing in the hot waters to help cure skin ailments. Once an incredulous barbarian asked a Roman emperor why he bathed once daily. The emperor responded it was because he was too busy to bath twice daily.