BATH

BATH

The hot springs in Bath bubble up with over 260,000 US gallons of mineral-rich steaming water everyday. This water, that fell as rain around 10,000 years ago, sank through porous limestone rock to more than a mile below the surface of the earth. Here it is heated by high temperature rocks to an estimated 156˚ Fahrenheit before rising back up through natural cracks in the rocks to form three springs which continuously gush to the surface at a slightly cooler 110 degrees.

Over 2,000 years ago, these hot springs were a sacred spot to the goddess Soulis. Early Britons frequented the springs as a favored place for hunting since animals gathered around the warm springs throughout the year. As these pagans became more sophisticated, they focused on the springs as a sacred place where, in the midst of the rising steam, they communicated with their gods. They built an elaborate temple with carved stonework, calling it Aquae Soulis (Romanized name).

When the Romans invaded and settled Britain, they brought their own gods along with their language and customs.  Also marveling at the hot springs, they placed Minerva, the goddess of wisdom and warfare in residence at this favored spot and worshipped her during their occupation of Britain.  Building on its pagan roots, the names merged and the goddess of the hot springs at Bath became known as Soulis Minerva.  

The Romans built an extensive two level structure with pillars and carvings surrounding the hot springs – the great, east and west baths. Much of its original structure remains and archeological excavations in the recent past have revealed even more architectural detail about the baths and their use.

Roman bath

Remains of Roman temple

Aquae Soulis in Roman times

2,000 year old scholar with scroll

Gold mask of Minerva

Today the hot water continues to bubble up as it had done for thousands of years. And tourists travel from all over the United Kingdom and beyond to visit these hot springs, the site of the temple and the charming town of Bath.