England - Sep18 - Roman Baths in Bath
|
|
Because we lost a half a day thanks to a dead battery in our rental car key fob, we arrived in Bath late in the day, too late to really do anything. I was surprised how much city we had to drive through until we got to the inner city area, which is located in a sharp bend of the River Avon. We checked into our hotel -- no B&B this time -- then walked around to get the lay of the land. We had a very nice dinner at a place called "The Real Italian Pizza" but was really a restaurant that served pizza.
This is the Bath Abbey.
|
| |
 |
|
|
Another look.
|
| |
 |
|
| A Victorian Park was on the rivers edge. It was closed but we visited it the next morning. |
| |
 |
|
|
An unusual waterfall on the river. Notice the covered bridge.
|
| |
 |
|
| The next morning, back at the Bath Abbey, which is more like a small Cathedral. |
| |
 |
|
| The ornate front door. |
| |
 |
|
| Of course, the main thing in Bath is the famous Roman Baths. Here is the entrance. We were there when it opened. It is quite popular and we wanted to beat the crowds. |
| |
 |
|
|
Outside the door was this plaque. Talk about coincidence; I had just finished reading about Mary Shelley's husband, the famous poet, Percy Shelly, who was actually quite a monster himself.
|
| |
 |
|
| Inside, our first look at the famous Roman bath complex. |
| |
 |
|
|
Notice the full body sculptures overlooking the baths. They were all famous Roman emperors.
|
| |
 |
|
|
The Abbey overlooks the baths.
After the Romans pulled out of Britain in 400AD, the baths were gradually forgotten. By the 18th century, they were buried under 10 feet of dirt and unknown. They were discovered and the excavators were astonished by what they found. The Roman Baths are a World Heritage Site.
|
| |
 |
|
|
This model shows the impressive Roman bath complex back in the day.
An underground spring provided continuous 120 degree water for the baths that comes from a hot spring.
|
| |
 |
|
| An artists conception of what the Roman city of Bath looked like at its peak. The River Avon is visible to the right. |
| |
 |
|
|
The bath complex included a temple and the temple art. Only a portion of the temple stone art remains but this amazing exhibit shows what it looked like, with the missing pieces filled in, and colorized.
|
| |
 |
|
| The museum was very effective in showing the ruins -- below right -- with a screen above, using computer animation, showing what this very site looked like back in its heyday. |
| |
 |
|
| The baths, or pool, from the ground level. |
| |
 |
|
| No, they do not allow you to go in the water. |
| |
 |
|
| Mr. American Tourist. Notice the audio device. The audio tour was excellent. |
| |
 |
|
|
After the Baths, we went over and checked out the inside of the Abbey, which was bright and cheerful, unlike some of the bigger cathedrals.
|
| |
 |
|
|
Then we walked around the Victorian Garden, which was small but pretty.
|
| |
 |
|
| Go Owls! |
| |
 |
|
| Looking up the River Avon at the covered bridge. |
| |
 |
|
| Looking back at the Abbey and town. |
| |
 |
|
| Your's truly in the Garden. |
| |
 |
|
|
Not sure what this is but it is unusual.
|
| |
 |
|
| |
| |
 |
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|