Wednesday, June 17, 2009

The Sites of Bath

We went to Bath for a three day trip, using it as a home base while we visited Tony and the region around there. The city is very pretty and I can see why it is the set of many movies, as well as why Jane Austen set so many of her stories here.

The Roman Baths are amazing, the Royal Crescent very pretty, and the abbey just gorgeous inside.


Here we are at the Royal Crescent, which is 30 terrace houses built in a crescent shape between 1767-74. Many aristocrats lived here in the 18th-century, as Bath was the place to see and be seen.

Bath Abbey was started in 1499, rebuilding over a church from the 8th century, and quite possibly, some Roman temples and courtyards (they are still excavating the baths and think that the abbey is covering some of it). Outside, you can see angels climbing a ladder to heaven. Inside, the glass isn't all colored, so it is so bright and light indoors. And the vaulted ceilings really look like lace.




According to legend, Bath owes its origins to the Celtic King Bladud, who discovered the properties of the hot springs in 860 BC. The baths were built in the first century around the hot springs that is a constant 115 degrees Fahrenheit. They built a complex with cool baths, hot saunas, relaxing spots, and worship. It is pretty amazing. In the 1800s, the citizens of Bath added the Roman statues to the outside balcony of the main bath.






1 comment:

BaysYates said...

Wow...it is breathtaking in photos. I can only imagine how amazing it is in person.