The city of Bath became known because of its thermal sources. The main source was already known to the Celts, which they dedicated to the goddess Sulis. After the Romans comquered the British islands in the year 43 BC, they were interested for this place and started the bathing facilities here after the Roman style the so called Thermal that derives from the Greek Thermos (warm). They called the place Aquae Sulis interpreted as Sulis Minerva.
In 577 the Anglo-Saxons conquered Bath. They gave it the name Batha and that how its name derives today. With the withdrawal of the Romans and the dwindling influence of the Roman Empire began the demise of bathing culture and baths, even in Bath. They spas were sunked literally in the mud and was only in the 19th Century accidentally rediscovered. To 755 near the Roman ruins of the monastery of St. Peter was founded, which later belonged to the Benedictine Order.The first king of England, Edgar 973 was crowned at the Abbey of Bath .
In 1066 following the occupation of the England by the Normans. John of Tours becamel bishop of Bath,asigned by William the second. He builds a Norman cathedral , and three large pools: the King’s Bath, the Cross Bath and the Hot Bath. The bathrooms were subject to the bishop and soon gained a reputation throughout England, to be curative. 1180 a hospital was established under the direction of the monastery . In the Middle Ages, Bath developed to a centre especially for cloth weaving. Under Henry IV the city lapsed again including the baths.
Only after a visit by Queen Elizabeth I in the year 1574 began a renewed upswing, connected with the growing popularity of the spa water. It was a time of extensive spa treatments and Bath now had five major baths, which were fed by springs. In the 16th And 17 Century noblemen and monarchs came for a cure here, that made the place widly known. The steep ascent as a world-renowned sophisticated spa had began. Around 1800, the population was due to the cure of 34,000 people angered, Bath was the eighth largest city in England. The development of the town at the beginning of the 18th Century was made by Richard Nash who took the honorary title of King of Bath . He presented a glamorous image of spa, helped to provide a comprehensive entertainment during the season and took effect on the city planning.
In the 19th century Bath was very popular as a resort, however, other European spas became popular as well , and the good days were over. However, in 1889 King’s and Queen’s Bath, was restored and rebuilt, especially the old Roman bath, which was largely preserved.
