The entrance to the Roman Baths

The Roman Baths from the upper level of the site. This bath was originally covered with a roof, which had previously prevented the green discoloration of the water due to algae.

The Roman Baths are a place of historical interest in the English city of Bath . (For Roman baths in general, see Thermae .) They are a very well preserved Roman site of public bathing, and have become a major tourist attraction.

History

The first shrine at the site of the springs was built by Celts , and dedicated to the goddess Sulis , whom the Roman s identified with Minerva ; however, 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"). During the Roman occupation of Britain increasingly grand temples and bathing complexes were built, but after the Roman withdrawal these fell into disrepair and were eventually lost due to silting up. The Bath complex was rediscovered in the 18th century and, as well as being a major archaeological find, it has become one of the city's main attractions. The water is now considered unsafe for bathing, due to its having passed through the still-functioning lead pipes constructed by the Romans. The Thermae Bath Spa (nearby) allows modern-day bathers to experience the waters for themselves.

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