Spa and Hot Springs of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom

The spa and hot springs of Bath are traditionally associated with the Romans. It is true that the Romans developed the baths and built a massive complex, with temples and administrative buildings, around them. However the site dates back to the Celtic period, and the baths have been in used almost continuously since the Romans left. The spa was revitalised in the 18th century and appears on the novels of Jane Austen. Today the Roman spa is a museum but there are still places nearby where you can take the waters.

Address

York Street 7A, Bath, United Kingdom

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Details

Founded: Celtic
Category: Prehistoric and archaeological sites in United Kingdom

More Information

www.romanbaths.co.uk
en.wikipedia.org
www.worldwidewriter.co.uk

Rating

4.3/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Debbie Jackson (13 months ago)
A lovely relaxing and fun afternoon spent with my daughter. The only slight downside was the number of couples being rather 'affectionate'; but it is quite a couples place, so was expecting this a little bit. We didn't have any treatments but did have afternoon tea - which was more than enough for two people. I particularly enjoyed the steam rooms. We will return!

Danielle Bell (13 months ago)
Better than I expected although also much busier. I think it might be important to think of this place as more of a spa Disneyland for adults than a relaxing place to unwind. If you can get in that frame of mind, there’s so many interesting touches to keep the experience seamless and the spa/saunas themselves are pretty innovative, clean, and enjoyable.

Geraldine Thomson (13 months ago)
Worth visiting for the rooftop pool alone. Quite an experience - thermal waters and soothing views of the Bath environs. The steam and sauna rooms are pretty standard- have experienced much better elsewhere and the indoor pool and spa nothing to scream about. Very much a tourist destination and was busy when we visited which diminishes the experience somewhat but is inevitable so we can't complain! A visit during quieter time - it is possible! - would be best.

amélie Heulin (13 months ago)
Beautiful place in the heart of Bath! This modern and elegant SPA is one the best I have done. With a variety of rooms in the wellness suite (I particularly enjoyed the steam rooms with their lovely fragrances) and two pools (beautiful view from the rooftop one) everyone will find something to enjoy. We finished by a massage that was very well executed. I highly recommend and will go back. If you can avoid weekend and busy days, the experience is certainly more relaxing

Martin Allen (14 months ago)
Two lovely pools to use, the rooftop pool has brilliant views and is really relaxing, and the inside one is great too with lots of jets and bubbles. The water is amazingly warm, and is great even when cold outside. Can get very busy with queues taking a couple of hours to get in so either get there early, or take advantage of the fast track which costs more but you get straight in. Lovely little restaurant inside too

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Arnie Papp

Historic Site of the week

Klis Fortress

From its origin as a small stronghold built by the ancient Illyrian tribe Dalmatae, becoming a royal castle that was the seat of many Croatian kings, to its final development as a large fortress during the Ottoman wars in Europe, Klis Fortress has guarded the frontier, being lost and re-conquered several times. Due to its location on a pass that separates the mountains Mosor and Kozjak, the fortress served as a major source of defense in Dalmatia, especially against the Ottoman advance, and has been a key crossroad between the Mediterranean belt and the Balkan rear.

Since Duke Mislav of the Duchy of Croatia made Klis Fortress the seat of his throne in the middle of the 9th century, the fortress served as the seat of many Croatia"s rulers. The reign of his successor, Duke Trpimir I, the founder of the Croatian royal House of Trpimirović, is significant for spreading Christianity in the Duchy of Croatia. He largely expanded the Klis Fortress, and in Rižinice, in the valley under the fortress, he built a church and the first Benedictine monastery in Croatia. During the reign of the first Croatian king, Tomislav, Klis and Biograd na Moru were his chief residences.

In March 1242 at Klis Fortress, Tatars who were a constituent segment of the Mongol army under the leadership of Kadan suffered a major defeat while in pursuit of the Hungarian army led by King Béla IV. After their defeat by Croatian forces, the Mongols retreated, and Béla IV rewarded many Croatian towns and nobles with 'substantial riches'. During the Late Middle Ages, the fortress was governed by Croatian nobility, amongst whom Paul I Šubić of Bribir was the most significant. During his reign, the House of Šubić controlled most of modern-day Croatia and Bosnia. Excluding the brief possession by the forces of Bosnian King, Tvrtko I, the fortress remained in Hungaro-Croatian hands for the next several hundred years, until the 16th century.

Klis Fortress is probably best known for its defense against the Ottoman invasion of Europe in the early 16th century. Croatian captain Petar Kružić led the defense of the fortress against a Turkish invasion and siege that lasted for more than two and a half decades. During this defense, as Kružić and his soldiers fought without allies against the Turks, the military faction of Uskoks was formed, which later became famous as an elite Croatian militant sect. Ultimately, the defenders were defeated and the fortress was occupied by the Ottomans in 1537. After more than a century under Ottoman rule, in 1669, Klis Fortress was besieged and seized by the Republic of Venice, thus moving the border between Christian and Muslim Europe further east and helping to contribute to the decline of the Ottoman Empire. The Venetians restored and enlarged the fortress, but it was taken by the Austrians after Napoleon extinguished the republic itself in 1797. Today, Klis Fortress contains a museum where visitors to this historic military structure can see an array of arms, armor, and traditional uniforms.

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Spa and Hot Springs of Bath