Bath 巴斯

City of Bath is situated 156 km west of London and became a World Heritage Site in 1987. Romans first discovered hot springs in this place and established a spa resort during 43AD. They also built a temple surrounding the area to worship goddess Sulis Minerva during 60AD, and the bathing complex was gradually completed in the next 300 years. Bath is also the only city in England that contains hot spring. In addition, English novelist, Jane Austen, lived in Bath from 1800 to 1809.

Pulteney Bridge viewed from south side. It crosses River Avon, was designed by Robert Adam who had visited Italy and adopted the structure of Venice’s Ponte di Rialto. The bridge was completed in 1773. River Avon skirts the south and west of the city. Parade Garden is on the right side of this photo.

I think the view is quite lovely from here.

Pavilion in Parade Garden.

Closer view of Pulteney Bridge; it was named after William Pulteney, who owned the estate across the river from Bath called "Bathwick." It was at first rural site but William Pulteney discovered its potential and started invest and create the new town, that later became the suburbs of Bath. Since he needed an easier method to traffic on River Avon, he approached Robert Adam with an idea of a new bridge across the river.

River Avon. It was raining that time but the rain created a misty scene to add a dreamy quality to this river.

The other side of the Pulteney Bridge was a series of small shops.

This is the church of St. Michael to which King Edward III granted a charter in 1361.

Bath Abbey

The Pump Room, built next to Bath Abbey in 1789 and finished in 1799. It is a restaurant adjacent to the Roman Baths.

Closer view of Bath Abbey with the Pump Room on the right.

Inside Roman Baths–this is The Great Bath.

Sacret Spring, one of the spas, is still bubbling today.

Inside the museum, in which shows the artifacts such as coins, gem stones, curses found in the hot springs. This model shows the Roman Baths, Bath Houses, and Roman Temple of Sulis Minerva.

The remains of the temple pediment of Sulis Minerva.

Part of the walls of the shrine.

The remains of one of the baths.

The Great Bath. There were guides dressed up like ancient Romans and displayed what Romans usually did when they came to the bathing complex.

Another view of the Sacred Spring.

I highly recommend Roman Baths and Museum although the ticket was a bit pricey (11 pounds). However, not only it is a world heritage, you get to see the Great Bath, Sacred Spring, cold plunge, sauna room, etc. up closel. The museum includes priceless collection of coins and gemstones that were tossed as offerings to the goddess or washed out from their jewelries while the ancient Romans took baths. The museum was built right up on the ancient site while the old remains were left and new structure or illustrations were added on to model the original buildings. It is a bit dark inside so I was not able to take many good photos, but it was remarkable to see the artifacts from thousands of years ago. One thing I found particularly interesting was the pieces of metals scratched with messages called "curses" thrown into Sacred Spring. These curse tablets were recovered by anthropologists and displayed in the museum; most of them asked Sulis Minerva to take justice for those who carved the messages or to recover something stolen from them. The sweat room was built with hypocaust heating system that air could be heated under the floor to warm up the room evenly through the walls. In addition, you get an audio guide available in several languages to use in the museum, and a cup of the spring water to drink in the Pump Room.

Royal Crescent is a noble residential road in Georgian architecture style built between 1767 and 1774.

For over 200 years there have been people living in Royal Crescent. Although the interior has been remodeled by residents over time, the facade remains pretty much the same as it was first built.

One of many wonderful views of street of Bath.

Exterior views of the Great Bath.

One side of exterior walls of Roman Baths.