Visit our new topic page about Bath

Bath

World Encyclopedia | Date: 2005

Bath Spa city on the River Avon, sw England. Bath has been designated a world heritage site. Its hot springs were discovered in the 1st century ad by the Romans, who named the city Aquae Sulis (waters of the sun). The bathing complex and temple are the finest Roman remains in Britain. Bath flourished as a centre of the cloth and wool industries. The 15th-century Roman bath museum is adjacent to the ornate, gothic Bath Abbey. In the 18th century (under the direction of Beau Nash), the city became a fashionable resort. John Wood transformed the city into a showcase for Georgian architecture: the Royal Crescent, Queen Square, and the Circus are among his notable achievements. The University of Bath was established in 1966. Industries: tourism, printing, bookbinding, engineering, clothing. Pop. (1996 est.) 85,000.


© World Encyclopedia 2005, originally published by Oxford University Press 2005.