The Bridge of Sighs in Chester is a crossing that originally led from the Northgate gaol, across the Chester Canal, to a chapel in the Bluecoat School. It was built to allow condemned prisoners to receive the last rites before their execution without risk of escape.[1] It is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II listed building.[2]
History
editThe bridge was built probably in 1793. It originally had iron railings to prevent the prisoners from escaping. The railings were removed during World War II.[3] The architect was Joseph Turner.[4]
After the Northgate Prison closed, Chester City Corporation tried to have the bridge removed in 1821.[citation needed]
See also
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References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bridge of Sighs, Chester.
- ^ "The Northgate Part II". History Tour & Map. 21 August 2009.
- ^ Historic England, "Bridge of Sighs, Chester (1375967)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 8 April 2012
- ^ Langtree, Stephen; Comyns, Alan, eds. (2001), 2000 Years of Building: Chester's Architectural Legacy, Chester: Chester Civic Trust, p. 126, ISBN 0-9540152-0-7
- ^ Hartwell, Clare; Hyde, Matthew; Hubbard, Edward; Pevsner, Nikolaus (2011) [1971], Cheshire, The Buildings of England, New Haven and London: Yale University Press, p. 270, ISBN 978-0-300-17043-6