bath complex site historical interest english city bath house preserved roman site public bathing modern street level main features sacred spring roman bath house museum holding finds buildings street level date 19th century major tourist attraction grand pump room receive million visitors year featured program wonders visitors enter water audio guide available languages hot springs form water bubbles ground bath falls rain nearby limestone depth metres energy raises water temperature pressure heated water rises surface faults limestone process similar artificial known makes use high pressures temperatures earth crust hot water temperature rises rate litres imp gal day geological fault fault new spa water bore hole sunk providing clean safe supply spa water drinking history shrine site hot springs built dedicated goddess romans identified largely fictional describes spring discovered british king built early 18th century obscure legend given great prominence royal endorsement waters qualities spring cured herd pigs warm mud romans building continued roman invasion leading town roman waters temple constructed bathing complex gradually built years roman occupation britain possibly instructions emperor engineers drove oak piles provide stable foundation mud surrounded spring irregular stone chamber lined lead 2nd century enclosed wooden barrel vaulted building included hot bath warm bath cold bath roman withdrawal britain decade 5th century fell disrepair eventually lost flooding suggests original roman destroyed 6th century curse found related clothes whilst victim bathing redevelopment modified occasions including 12th century built bath king spring reservoir 16th century city corporation built new bath queen bath south spring spring housed 18th century buildings designed architects elder younger father son visitors drank waters grand pump room neo classical salon remains use taking waters social functions victorian expansion complex followed neo classical tradition established woods failed opened hot bath spring found spring failed flowed new channel smith restored water original course filled time visitor entrance concert hall eastward continuation grand pump room glass centre single storey corner grand pump room begun resigned continued scheme completion elevation centre piece engaged columns designated grade listed building north designed south similar upper floor added late 19th century museum queen bath including bridge spanning york street city laundry comprises southward extension grand pump room remains queen bath merged museum museum houses artefacts roman period including objects thrown sacred spring presumably offerings goddess include roman currency coins largest collective deposit known britain bronze head goddess discovered nearby displayed bath roman temple stood podium metres surrounding courtyard approached flight steps approach large columns supporting decorated parts displayed museum triangular ornamental section feet wide feet apex pillars building featured powerful central image head height metres approached temple great head snakes beard wings ears heavy controversy represents usually female alternative interpretation sees central head image water god image celtic sun god early stones rearranged display remains elaborate heating system served sweat rooms conservation late 19th century carvings terrace overlooking great bath particularly susceptible effect acid rain protected wash shelter coat years exhibits temple susceptible warm air effect drawing roman stonework help reduce new ventilation system installed grant bath contribute cost developing displays improving access media established promote improvements museums galleries england water safety bath charged responsibility hot springs granted duty passed bath carry monitoring pressure temperature flow rates thermal waters contain calcium high concentrations water flows considered unsafe bathing partly having passed functioning original lead pipes world war advertised basis contained significant danger considered infectious diseases october young girl swimming local swimming club restored contracted died leading closure bath years tests showed extremely dangerous disease causing water newly constructed nearby designed partners refurbished cross bath allow modern day experience waters series recently gallery
Roman Baths (Bath)