| The City of Bath - Somerset is located about a | | | | The honey colored Bath Stone was used as |
| hundred miles from the city of London. As a site | | | | building materials for many of the large public |
| where Romans enjoyed bathing in the natural hot | | | | buildings. Well known structures known today |
| springs, public baths and a temple were erected in | | | | include the Circus, the Royal Crescent and |
| A. D. 43. The location remained popular through | | | | Paragon, part of which were destroyed by |
| the early Christian-era centuries. The increasing | | | | aircraft raids during World War II. |
| popularity of its location in the Georgian era led to | | | | As a city selected for a World Heritage Site, |
| many architectural designs built of locally quarried | | | | Bath's status has come into question in recent |
| stone, known as Bath stone. | | | | years because of widespread redevelopment, |
| Even before the Romans built up the area, the | | | | requiring the destruction of ancient building. |
| Celts treated the waters forming the hot springs | | | | Architectural design is unusual in the city, since |
| as a shrine dedicated to Sulis, known by the | | | | many times the front of homes is one style |
| Romans as Minerva. Over the years in which the | | | | presenting a uniform appearance, the facade hides |
| Romans occupied the British Isles, the baths were | | | | a variety of styles that when viewed from the |
| improved, decorated and expanded. They were | | | | rear of the buildings. |
| allowed to fall into disrepair when the Romans left. | | | | Bath - Somerset is noted for its archaeological |
| Under the Roman rule, walls were erected to | | | | importance but it may be fully as important for |
| fortify the city. | | | | the people who stayed in Bath over the years. |
| Under various regimes and conquerors, Bath | | | | Haile Selassie lived here for four years while in |
| occupied a position of more or less authority and | | | | exile. Jane Austen and members of her family |
| interest. By the early 1800s, architects John | | | | resided at Bath and artist Thomas Gainesborough |
| Wood, elder and younger, laid out many features | | | | lived here. |
| which exist in the modern appearance of Bath. | | | | |