Watercolour of one of the most magical places in the UK. The Roman Baths in Bath, England, represent one of the best-preserved ancient Roman bathing complexes in the world, built around 70 CE over natural hot springs sacred to the Celtic goddess Sulis, whom Romans equated with Minerva. These geothermal springs still produce over 1.17 million liters of 46°C (115°F) mineral-rich water daily, feeding the iconic Great Bath.
 
The site, known as Aquae Sulis, featured a temple to Sulis Minerva and evolved into a sprawling public thermae with rooms progressing from cold (frigidarium) to warm (tepidarium) to hot (caldarium) baths, used for bathing, socializing, and rituals until the 5th century. Excavations from the 1870s revealed the complex’s layout, including hypocaust underfloor heating and statues, after it fell into ruin post-Roman withdrawal.
 
Interesting facts...
Over 130 lead tablets inscribed with curses—petty pleas for revenge on thieves or rivals—were tossed into the Sacred Spring as offerings to Sulis Minerva, revealing raw glimpses of Roman daily grudges. Many name specific wrongdoers, like “Docimedis lost two gloves” and invoke the goddess to “deprive them of sleep until they return them”. So keep an eye out for any gloves!