The only thermal springs in the UK built in the 1st century AD by the Romans. Here you can see the situ remains and ornate architectural fragments of the magnificent Temple of Sulis Minerva, Goddess of the thermal spring and the well preserved bath house.
Picture narration is self-explainatory
The Temple Pediment. In the centre is ''Gorgon''s Head'' encircled by wreath of leaves and supported by winged victories. This staring face combines many ideas. The gorgon is a symbol of ''Minerva, resembles other Roman weather gods like Oceanus and Neptune. Its sun like appearance may refer to the heat of the Sacred Spring. The owl helment symbolises Minserva responsible for wisdom & war.
This is a close up of ''Gorgon''s Head''. Looks very much like a sun god. In India, to this day, we worship the sun. The rest are carved blocks from the pediment of the Temple of Sulis Minerva were discovered during the construction of the Pump Room in 1790.
The Baths and Temple were the most important place in Aquae Sullis. The Roman town then became the Bath. Town also known as Aquae Calidae ''meaning hot waters''.
Exit point from Roman Bath. The inscription says ''Kings and Queens baths''.
After you pay an entrance fee of pounds 11 you enter the Bath through this door.
You enter at a higher level see the glass window panes. In the background is the Abbey ie stone''s through from the Bath.
Picture is self-explainatory.
Picture is self-explainatory.
Picture is self-explainatory.
Picture is self-explainatory.
The Luna pediment. The Goddess Luna is the centrepiece of this pediment which was supported by the façade of four seasons. She used her whip on two horses which drew her chariots across the night sky. Luna would look across the sacrificial altar to SOL (the Sun God) carved above the doorway to the Sacred Spring.
Relief of the Roman God Mercury and his Celtic consort Rosmertia. Beneath them are three hooded deities - the genni cucullate and an animal found in the Roman baths.
Courtyard of Temple of Sulis Minerva. This was an open ended paved area in front of the temple like in India.
Tomb sculpture can give us a picture of the people who were visiting and perhaps living in Aquae Sulis. The larges stone head (top) commermorated a wealthy lady, datable to the late first century by her hairstyle.
This is a figure of a civilian wearing a cloak and possibly holding a document or scroll.
Altar dedicated to the goddess Sulis Minerva and deities of the two emperors.
Gilt bronze head from the cult statue of Sulis Minerva that once stood inside the Temple where only the priests would attend to her.
The Sacred Spring. The Romans had no explaination for hot water pouring out of the ground, to them it was a work of God, a sacred place. You see the hot water flowing out.
You see the Great Bath clicked from one angle.
You see the Great Bath clicked from another angle with the 16th century Abbey. The Abbey stands on the site of earlier cathedrals and may also be over a pagan Roman Temple.
You see the Circular Bath, where bathers completed their visits to the steam rooms with a cold plunge to rinse off, freshen up and close the pores of their skin.
The sacred spring is full of coinds which were thrown in as offerrings into the Sacred Spring.
You see some local ladies with hairstyle like that of a lady in first AD.
With friends outside the Roman Bath. Very clean and well laid out town. Just loved it. It is about a 2-3 hour drive from London.
Lauging away to glory outside the Abbey.
Roman God outside the Abbey. There was no board give us details, most seemed clueless.
Friends in the street of Bath. A hot water spring is well made, preserved and become a World Heritage Site. There must be so many like these in India. They charge pounds 11 or app Rs 880/ as entrance fee. Looking at the crowds, they collect huge sums of money. India needs to learn from the West how to market its tourist spots that are far more ancient and exciting than Roman Bath.