Bath - Roman Baths and Pump Room

The Roman Baths and the Temple of Sulis Minerva, built in about 75 BC around the largest of the three hot springs, are extraordinarily impressive. The water, containing some 43 different minerals, gushes from a depth of 9,800ft/3,000m at a rate of 1,250,000 liters/275,000 Imperial gallons a day, with a constant temperature of 46.5°C/116°F. The Romans named the temple after the Celtic goddess Sul who they associated with their own goddess Minerva. The complex of buildings around the spring served not only to supply the baths with mineral water but also for worship of the two deities, many votive offerings being recovered from the wells. Systematic excavations began in the late 19th century, the most recent being conducted between 1981 and 1983. Many of the artifacts found in the baths, temples and sacred springs are on display in the museum although some have also been left in situ. Visitors should give priority to seeing the Great Bath, which measures 39 x 78ft/12 x 24m and is nearly 6ft/2m deep. In Roman times it was roofed over with barrel vaulting and equipped with side ducts. The statues and balustrades are of a later date. Other items of interest include the Gorgon's head on the temple pediment, altar-stones, mosaics, votive offerings (including tablets inscribed with curses) and various fragments of sculpture, among them part of a gilded bronze figure of Minerva.

The Classical style Pump Room dates from Georgian times. As well as its gilded decoration it is embellished with a statue of Beau Nash and a clock by Tompion. The terrace overlooks the King's Bath.