| England is not known for its great weather, or for its | | | | town was founded people have flocked from all over |
| pleasant summer-holiday spots. To find relief, the British | | | | the place to enjoy the benefits from them. |
| can either enjoy brief summer-stays in their most | | | | However, there're more to Bath than its thermal |
| southern coast, or fly to warmer areas of the globe. | | | | waters. While the Roman Baths are definitely a |
| However, there's a town about two hours west of | | | | milestone both from an architectural and a historical |
| London where they can bathe almost all year long: the | | | | points of view, architecture and heritage offer more |
| town of Bath. | | | | sources of interest for tourists, researchers, artists, and |
| The name says it all. Founded as it is by the Romans | | | | writers. |
| about 2000 years ago, Bath holds the only relevant hot | | | | The town's Abbey, whose latest shape dates back to |
| mineral-spring waters in the whole of Britain. It is not | | | | 1499, but on whose site different churches have been |
| clear whether other peoples had already taken | | | | built since 757, is an overwhelming building that towers |
| advantage of the local thermal waters. What is sure, is | | | | high-above over the town. The church is considered |
| that the Romans were no strangers to these | | | | the last medieval one to be built, and can now be |
| phenomena (Italy and the southern European region still | | | | visited for a reasonable fee expect on Sundays, when |
| boast a wealth of them). | | | | religious service is regularly held. |
| The word "spa" is in fact short for "Salus per aqua", | | | | Another peculiar attraction is the Georgian townhouse |
| which is Latin for "Health through water": a concept | | | | "Nr. 1 Royal Crescent". The house dates back to the |
| very dear to the Romans. No wonder then that when | | | | second half of the 1700s, and marvelously displays all |
| they found three spring-spots in this area of the | | | | its Palladian-style beauty. The visitor once again feels |
| recently-invaded Albion's territory, they decided to build | | | | cast back in time, though in a more recent but still |
| a religious spa called "Aquae Sulis" ("Waters of Sulis", | | | | fascinating past. |
| being this latter the local goddess of healing waters), | | | | More history and heritage evidences can be found at |
| now known as the Roman Baths. | | | | the "City of Bath Museum" and at the unique "Fashion |
| Excellently preserved for the most part, these original | | | | Museum", whereas art-lovers can find satisfaction |
| baths make you feel like diving into a past of basic and | | | | visiting the "Victoria Art Gallery". |
| natural luxury. Their golden-tone marbles, the | | | | These peculiarities make Bath an authentic oasis in |
| unmistakable columns and statues that surround the | | | | Great Britain. A town that has always attracted a |
| "Great Bath" (main pool) will leave speechless even | | | | great deal of tourists and settlers, nourishing talent and |
| the most "traveled" tourist. While the ancient Roman | | | | inspiration in artists and creative minds of several kinds, |
| Baths, set six meters (about 20 feet) below | | | | including Jane Austen (whose "Centre" is one more |
| street-level, can now only be visited around their dry | | | | point of interest to visit). |
| surfaces, the healthy waters can be experienced in | | | | For more information about Bath, go to its website. |
| the more recent Thermae Bath Spa. Ever since the | | | | |