History of Roman Baths
When I first heard that we were going to the Roman Baths in England after visiting Stonehenge, I just thought that “baths” was a play on word for something else.
Actually, they are the public baths (or at least they were way back when). The baths are located in Bath, England. In my opinion, who would want a city named Bath, even if it is named after something famous?
The Roman baths were founded in 860 BC. The Baths are big pools, and have water that is heated from the inside of the Earth. It is basically a hot spring. The water comes up into a main pool, and flows through tunnels and into the separate baths. There is a cold pool, a warm pool, and a hot pool, but most visitors would go through all three. The water can get up to 116 degrees Fahrenheit!
Generally, a person would bathe, and then be massaged and oiled by a worker. They would be scrubbed by a tool made of metal or human bones, a stigil, and they say that it was an honor to work at the baths. The Baths were also the place where the men conducted business meetings and the ladies gossiped.
Roman Baths Today
In the exhibit, there are penny sized gemstones in many colors that were found in the pool filters. The minerals in the water dissolved the wax used to hold the stones in ladies’ rings and they felt out. I wonder how relaxed they felt at the end of their bath when they realized their gemstone were missing?!
We listened with an audio tour while walking through the Baths, and I think that was the first time I have ever really enjoyed history.
One thing is for sure: I’m very glad things have progressed since ancient times, and I don’t have to bathe in public!
If you want to experience bathing in geothermal water, then you should definitely visit Iceland’s Blue Lagoon. But be sure to read Iceland’s locker room rules first!
Ready to explore the world? Then check out THE PASSPORT PROJECT and THE ULTIMATE TRAVEL TRACKER to inspire and manage your wanderlust.
[…] “stunning” piece of history. I was not too thrilled to have to wake up so early for our daytrip to Bath and Stonehenge, but knew I would appreciate it […]
You girls are making me laugh so hard! I do believe we have budding journalists in this family. You girls write so well. I was taught to write as if the reader has no knowledge of the subject matter…and that’s exactly what you have done. In so doing, I can’t wait until the next adventure! Thanks for sharing…hugs to the 4wornpassports! Until next time…..Aunt Pat
Hi Aunt Pat! Thanks for all the comments, and the great feedback for the girls. You’re like a one-woman fan club, and we love it!
You and Delaney should not need another bath for a long time. Love you. Glad you are having fun.
Jean and I were in Bath and then in London on her 40th birthday. For the record, we did not take a bath in Bath.. Love your reports! p.s., John Wesley (you know, the Methodist preacher guy) preached in Bath–but not when we were there :). Have fun and learn lots! Keith
It just made our night to hear from you, Keith! What a neat little tidbit about Methodist history. Thank you for chiming in. We hope all is well with you, Jean, and the Nashville music world.
Don’t go trying to make us think you are going to learn something on this most wonderful adventure, missy…….I know your type (and love them, but don’t tell anyone). I woke to a praying mantis in the refridgerator this pre-coffee morning, and thought, how odd that fell off my Mother Nature costume last night, then when I went to pick it up, it moved! Imagine my surprise as I hadn’t seen one is over a year- freakey isn’t it?? What are you going to dress up as, Canadian tourists? XOXO
Canadian tourists are a brilliant idea! We need to find some maple leaf attire and say, “Eh hoser, Happy Halloween!” We are still hoping you are going to surprise us in Australia for Christmas…