 Under the Roman Empire, it was a place of retreat and exile and was enjoyed because of its baths (the hydrothermal waters are still used as a spa).Lipari was probably an episcopal see from the 3rd century onward, with the first bishop being St. Agatone, who, according to tradition, had found the sacred remains of St. Bartholomew that had washed ashore, and put the precious relics for veneration in his cathedral.The presence of the relics has been attested since at least 546.