A well-preserved Roman complex designed for public bathing. Includes several pagan temples built in the first century. When constructing the baths, the builders used water systems that took into account the weather conditions. As a result, the water in the baths reached 96 degrees. The modern look of the complex was reconstructed in the 18th century. Now you can take a bath or order SPA-procedures there.

Each year, more than a million people visit the Roman baths in Bath. There is nothing strange about it: it is one of the most curious sights in the city.

The emergence of the Roman baths, the city of Bata, and even the origin of its name is due to the fact that it has a hot thermal spring from the ground. The first baths here were built by the Celts. They noticed the healing properties of the spring and considered it sacred, so they built a sanctuary dedicated to one of the local deities. The Romans who came to Britain also thought the place was sacred and associated it with the goddess Athena. It was here that they built the baths. Construction began around 60 BC and lasted about 300 years.

The original Roman building was destroyed over time, but new baths were added all the time around the same spring that spurted from the ground. But the heyday of Bath was in the 18th and 19th centuries, linked to the fashion for water therapy. The baths became the focal point of the social life of the town, so a new building was erected above the spring, and the Grand Pump Room for drinking water was built.
The Roman Baths in Bath are on the National Heritage List of the United Kingdom.

The building now has parts over two thousand years old, varying in age from Roman and older. The above-ground structures and the present main building were erected in the late 18th century by architect John Wood. The surviving Roman parts are recessed below street level and can be viewed as well. Originally there were all three Roman compulsory parts: the caldarium (hot baths), the terpidarium (warm baths) and the frigidarium (cold baths), as well as several halls for recreation. Some of the rooms have been preserved.

The complex is divided into four parts, almost all of which were originally created by the Romans: there is a holy spring, the baths themselves and a museum. The Roman holy spring is a hot thermal spring that springs from the ground and fills the baths with water. The Romans only threw offerings to the goddess Athena into the spring – 12 thousand different coins were found during excavations. There used to be a sanctuary too, it was in the courtyard, but only the remains of its former splendor, which are exhibited in the museum, have survived.

The main pool is very beautiful and was built over the Roman one. It is a rectangular reservoir of water, surrounded by columns and decorative elements. There are parts from different eras, from modern to ancient. The Roman dressing rooms and steam rooms have been preserved, and archaeological finds are now on display in them. The museum also contains items found during the excavation and restoration of the baths.
Many scattered rarities of various ages have survived in the baths: Roman mosaics, medieval statues, Renaissance sculptures, etc.

All structures are still filled with hot spring water, but you cannot drink water or bathe in it here. If you want to drink safe thermal water, you can in the nearby Grand Pump Room, and swim in the waters of the same spring, but safely held – in the neighboring spa complex Thermae Bath Spa.
Under no circumstances should you try to climb into the water or drink it, or better yet, don’t touch the water with your hands at all. It flows into the tanks through lead pipes laid by the Romans, and the intake is made directly from the ground. Therefore, the water is radioactive and contains a lot of bacteria. It was technically impossible to change it without completely dismantling the building.