Roman bath - a prehistoric site |
The Roman baths are a historical site, well preserved for public viewing and the construction dates back to the 18th century AD. While you dig into history, the archaeological evidence testifies that fact that the site must have been a center of worship that was practiced by the Celts. The springs are just an artifact of dedication to Goddess Sulis, who was identified by Romans as Minerva.
Means of traveling to the Bath city from the center of London: The city of Bath is situated 100 miles west of London and the same is 16 km East of Bristol. You must explore the enticing city on foot. You get frequent trains from London city to the Bath and the time taken to travel depends from 1 hr 15minutes to 2 hours 10 minutes. Traveling by bus will prove to be a cheaper one and that will take 3-4 hours to reach the city. The coaches do run an interval of 90 minutes. Traveling by taxi, private cars area lays permissible. You may explore the town in bicycle or on foot.
(for your reference you may see the map that clarifies the various routes.)
You have to pass various areas before reaching the historic bath.
The entrance of the Roman bath |
Entrance: The entrance is a well decorated are with huge sized paintings all over. You can buy your tickets here, afford audio-guides and hire a courtesy child carrier for your toddler.
Terrace depicts statues of political celebs |
The terrace: You will be elated to visit the terrace which is lined with statues of British governors and Roman emperors. Well, this is a great scope to have worthwhile memories and get pictured around. The statues were constructed in 1894. The site is actually a huge area and found under the modern ground level.
A roman slave of the then era ( enacting although) |
Meeting the Romans: There is a great attraction here in the Roman bath. You actually get to see people who once lived here. They are no other than people who study the Roman history well and enacts like the ancient people living 2000 years back. Don’t be surprised when these people dressed in ancient Roman robes introduce as they come from time machine. They say they were slaves or warriors and answer all your questions in the ancient world. Well, the figures are quite near to the ones you observe in pictures. Don’t get scared. They are not ghosts.
A coffin of the then era |
Temple pediments: While you see the front of the temple, the statue of Goddess Sulis Minerva was housed, and the area recently portrays the roman time looks which are quite evident once you go through the animation show.
Visuals of the changing room |
You will be going through the era when men and women used to bathe naked in the same pool and avail some massage and other body relaxing services. Well, this is a lesson to learn from that person from that era used to be open-minded and progressive.
Hot water originating from the bath |
Skeleton of the then era |
Gorgon's head - a figurine |
You may see the head curved over the wall which is called the Gorgon’s head, that stands as the symbol of power for Goddess Sulis Minerva.
Tourists observe the courtyard from suspended metallic bridge |
Temple courtyard: You may take a walk around the temple courtyard along the suspended metallic bridge. You can observe the stones which still have a bit of grass and fern in it. They were believed to belong to the Roman era and the time where sacrifices were made towards God. Truly, I felt like I was observing a sprawling civilization that came to an end with no notice from the destiny makers. Still, I am fortunate enough to observe the place which was conserved with great care.
Souvenirs for yourself: While exiting from the historic place, you may observe some stalls displaying beautiful souvenirs that include artifacts, show pieces, books, pens, and other stationeries which bear the logo or any symbol of the Roman bath. Carry home some great memories at the mere cost of some pounds.
Visiting the 3500 years old Archaeological structure, the Stone Henge :
Stone Henge observed from a distance |
One of the most popular sites that existed around 5,000 years before and rated as one of the most popular UNESCO heritage sites is Stone Henge. It’s an enormous structure when a single stone rests over two other, thereby justifying the power of balancing act which is empowered by the divine power. The archaeologists say that it was first constructed 5000 years back and thereby it underwent another phase of construction at 2500 BC. Sources say that the structures were developed during the Mesolithic era and consist of several barrows that date to the 3500 BC.
You are not allowed proximity to this huge structure and expected to view it just from some yards away. The complex is open to tourists until 5 pm and it’s better to buy tickets online so as to avoid the length of the queue. There is a various arrangement to be picked from the center of London, else you can make it on the way back from the Roman bath.
Well, I was happy as I have toured some pre-historic sites and to my understanding, London and surrounding have been the bull’s eye of settlement since ancient civilization that dates back from the Roman Empire. As the saying goes, ‘Rome was not built in a day’, similarly, London and surroundings are evidence of the fact that civilization was a long built road in history.