Minerva's Shrine, Chester
| Minerva's Shrine | |
|---|---|
 Minerva's Shrine | |
| Location | Edgar's Field, Handbridge, Chester, England |
| Coordinates | 53°11′03″N 2°53′21″W / 53.1843°N 2.8893°W |
| OS grid reference | SJ 406 656 |
| Built | 2nd century |
Listed Building – Grade I | |
| Designated | 28 July 1955 |
| Reference no. | 1375783 |
  Location in Cheshire | |
Minerva's Shrine is a Roman shrine dedicated to the goddess Minerva, located in Edgar's Field, Handbridge, Chester, England. It is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a Grade I listed building.[1]
The shrine dates from the early 2nd century and is carved into the face of a sandstone quarry.[1] It is considered the only monument of its type in western Europe that remains in its original location.[2] The carving is protected by a 19th-century stone surround with a hood, refurbished in the late 20th century.[1] Over time, the figure has weathered and has suffered damage from human activity. Adjacent to the shrine is an opening in the rock face, possibly a natural fissure later enlarged, known as Edgar's Cave.[2]
The shrine stands beside the route of the former main Roman road leading into the fortress of Deva Victrix from the south. In Roman religion, Minerva was associated with war, wisdom and craftsmanship. She is commonly depicted with a helmet, shield, breastplate and spear; in this carving, however, she appears in simplified form, standing within a representation of a temple.[3]
The Roman quarry, together with Edgar's Field and the rock-cut figure of Minerva, is designated as a Scheduled monument.[4]
A cast of the shrine is held in the Grosvenor Museum, Chester.
See also
- List of Scheduled Monuments in Cheshire dated to before 1066
- Grade I listed buildings in Cheshire West and Chester
References
- ^ a b c Historic England, "Roman shrine to Minerva, Chester (1375783)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 29 July 2012
- ^ a b "Minerva's Shrine". Chester City Council. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 3 September 2007.
- ^ Langtree, Stephen; Comyns, Alan, eds. (2001). 2000 Years of Building: Chester's Architectural Legacy. Chester: Chester Civic Trust. p. 29. ISBN 0-9540152-0-7.
- ^ Historic England, "Roman quarry including Edgar's Cave and the rock-cut figure of Minerva on Edgar's Field, 150m south west of Dee Bridge (1014718)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 30 October 2011
External links
Media related to Minerva's Shrine, Chester at Wikimedia Commons