Minerva's Shrine, Chester
Minerva's Shrine is a shrine to the Roman goddess Minerva in that was found Edgar's Field in the Handbridge area of Chester, Cheshire. It is designated a Grade I listed structure.[1] The shrine dates from the early 2nd century and is carved into the face of a sandstone quarry.[1] It is the only monument of its kind in Western Europe that remains in its original location. It is protected by a 19th-century stone surround with a hood, which was refurbished in the late 20th century.[1] The carving has weathered over the centuries and has also been damaged by human activity. Next to the shrine is an opening into the rock face which is possibly a natural fissure that has been enlarged and which is known as Edgar's Cave.
The shrine stands beside the route of the old main Roman road into the fortress of Deva from the south. Minerva was the Roman goddess of war, knowledge, and craftsmanship. She is often depicted with her attributes of helmet, shield, breastplate, and spear, but in this instance she is shown in a simplified form, standing in a representation of a temple.[2] The Roman quarry, together with Edgar's Field and the image of Minerva, is a Scheduled Monument.[3]
A cast of the shrine is kept in the Grosvenor Museum, in Chester.
Location
- Location map: 53°11’3"N, 2°53’21"W
- Streetmap: SJ406656
See also
Outside links
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References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 National Heritage List 1375783: Roman shrine to Minerva, Chester (Grade I listing)
- ↑ 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
- ↑ National Heritage List 1014718: Roman quarry including Edgar's Cave and the rock-cut figure of Minerva on Edgar's Field south west of Dee Bridge (Scheduled ancient monument entry)