Roman Baths (Bath) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Roman Baths |
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The Roman Baths in the city of Bath, England
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| General information | |
| Town or city | Bath |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°22′51″N 2°21′34″W / 51.3809°N 2.3595°W |
| Construction started | Baths – 1st century Building – 1894 |
| Completed | 1897 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | John Brydon (museum building) |
The Roman Baths are very old and well-kept public baths in the city of Bath, Somerset, England. A special temple was built here between 60 and 70 AD. This was during the early years of Roman Britain. Because of the temple, a small Roman town called Aquae Sulis grew up around the baths.
The Roman baths were used for public bathing until the end of Roman rule in Britain in the 5th century AD. About a hundred years later, the original Roman baths were in ruins. Over time, the area around the natural hot springs was rebuilt many times.
Today, the Roman Baths have four main parts: the Sacred Spring, the Roman Temple, the Roman Bath House, and a museum. The museum holds many ancient objects from Aquae Sulis. All the buildings you see at street level today were built in the 1800s. The Roman Baths are a very popular place to visit in the UK. More than 1.3 million people visit them every year. Visitors can explore the baths and museum, but they cannot go into the water.
Contents
How the Hot Spring Works
The water for the baths comes from rain that falls on the nearby Mendip Hills. This rainwater then slowly sinks through limestone layers deep underground. It goes down about 2,700 to 4,300 meters (8,858 to 14,107 feet).
Nature's Heating System
Deep underground, heat from the Earth warms the water. The water temperature here can reach between 69 and 96 degrees Celsius (156 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit). Under pressure, this hot water rises through cracks in the limestone. It then bubbles up from the ground into the baths. This is like a natural heating system!
Hot water, at about 46 degrees Celsius (115 degrees Fahrenheit), flows out at a rate of 1,170,000 liters (257,360 imperial gallons) every day. This water comes from a natural crack in the Earth called the Pennyquick fault. In 1982, a new hole was drilled to get clean, safe spa water. This water is now used for drinking in the Pump Room.
Water Safety and History
The city of Bath has been in charge of the hot springs since 1591. This responsibility was given by Queen Elizabeth I. Now, the local council checks the water's pressure, temperature, and flow. The thermal water has high amounts of natural minerals like sodium, calcium, chloride, and sulphate.
The Roman Baths are no longer used for swimming or bathing. In 1978, a girl got sick after swimming in the restored Roman Bath. Tests showed that a dangerous germ, Naegleria fowleri, was in the water. Because of this, the bath was closed for several years. Today, people can still enjoy the waters at the nearby Thermae Bath Spa. This modern spa uses water from new boreholes, making it safe for bathing.
History of the Baths
Archaeologists believe that the site of the baths was a special place for the Celts long ago. They thought the springs were sacred to a goddess named Sulis. The Romans later connected Sulis with their own goddess, Minerva.
A very old story, written by Geoffrey of Monmouth, tells how a British king named Bladud found the spring. He supposedly built the baths there. In the 1700s, this story became very popular. It said the warm mud and water cured King Bladud and his pigs of a skin disease.
Roman Times in Britain
When the Romans arrived, they kept the name Sulis. This is why the Roman town was called Aquae Sulis, meaning "the waters of Sulis." The temple was built between 60 and 70 AD. The bathing complex then grew bigger over the next 300 years.
During the Roman occupation, engineers used oak logs to create a strong base for the baths. They built a stone chamber around the spring and lined it with lead. In the 2nd century, a wooden roof was added. The complex included a caldarium (hot bath), tepidarium (lukewarm bath), and frigidarium (cold bath).
After the Romans left Britain in the early 5th century, the baths fell apart. They became filled with mud and flooded. Some records suggest the original Roman baths were destroyed in the 6th century.
About 130 special "curse tablets" have been found at the site. Many of these curses were written by people who wanted revenge for clothes stolen while they were bathing!
After the Romans Left
The baths have been changed many times over the centuries. In the 12th century, a new healing bath was built over the King's Spring. In the 16th century, a new Queen's Bath was added. Queen Anne of Denmark visited Bath twice for her health in the early 1600s. She was surprised by a flame caused by natural gas in the King's Bath. After that, she used the New Bath or Queen's Bath. A special column with a crown was put there in her honor.
The spring is now surrounded by buildings from the 1700s. These were designed by famous architects, John Wood the Elder and his son, John Wood the Younger. Visitors used to drink the waters in the Grand Pump Room. This beautiful building is still used today for social events and for people to try the spa water.
In the 1800s, the baths were expanded even more. The main visitor entrance today is through a concert hall built in 1897. The Grand Pump Room was started in 1789 and finished in 1799. It has tall Corinthian columns and a grand entrance. Many parts of the Roman Baths complex are now protected as important historic buildings.
The Museum and Its Treasures
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The museum at the Roman Baths displays many amazing objects from the Roman period. These include items that were thrown into the Sacred Spring. People likely offered these items to the goddess Sulis Minerva.
One incredible find is over 12,000 Roman coins. This is the largest collection of coins ever found as an offering in Britain! You can also see a gold-plated bronze head of the goddess Sulis Minerva, found nearby in 1727.
The Temple of Sulis Minerva
The Roman Temple stood on a raised platform, more than two meters (6.5 feet) above the courtyard. Steps led up to it. At the front, there were four large, fluted Corinthian columns. These columns supported a decorated pediment above.
The pediment is the triangular part above the pillars at the front of the building. Parts of it are displayed in the museum. It was about 26 feet (8 meters) wide and 8 feet (2.4 meters) tall at its highest point. It featured a powerful image of a possible "Gorgon" head. This head seemed to glare down from 15 meters (49 feet) high on everyone who came to the temple.
The large head has snakes in its beard, wings above its ears, and a heavy mustache. While Gorgons are usually female, many experts believe this head combines Minerva's Gorgon symbol with a local god of the springs. Some think it might be a water god like Oceanus, or a Celtic sun god.
In 2010, some stones on the pediment were cleaned and rearranged. In 2016, plans were approved for a new learning center for schoolchildren. This center will be connected to the baths by a tunnel.
Keeping the Baths Safe
The statues of Roman Emperors and Governors of Roman Britain on the terrace are very old. They are affected by acid rain. To protect them, a special coating is applied every few years.
Inside the temple area, the ancient Roman stonework can be damaged by warm air. This air can pull out harmful salts from the stone. To help with this, a new ventilation system was put in place in 2006.
In 2009, money was given to improve the displays and access at the Roman Baths. This funding helps make the museum even better for visitors. More grants have helped with the design and layout of the exhibitions.
Gallery
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Spring overflow
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Gorgon head
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Frigidarium (cold pool)
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Caldarium. This room used Roman hypocausts, which were underfloor heating systems.
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Model of Roman Bath and Roman Temple of Sulis Minerva as they would have looked in the 4th century AD.
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The 'Sacred Pool'
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See also
In Spanish: Termas romanas de Bath para niños
- List of Roman public baths
