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<< Our Photo Pages >> Chester Minerva shrine - Ancient Temple in England in Cheshire

Submitted by HOLYWELL on Friday, 15 February 2019  Page Views: 16689

Multi-periodSite Name: Chester Minerva shrine
Country: England County: Cheshire Type: Ancient Temple
Nearest Town: Chester
Map Ref: SJ40676561
Latitude: 53.184261N  Longitude: 2.889291W
Condition:
5Perfect
4Almost Perfect
3Reasonable but with some damage
2Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site
1Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks
0No data.
-1Completely destroyed
3 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
4 Access:
5Can be driven to, probably with disabled access
4Short walk on a footpath
3Requiring a bit more of a walk
2A long walk
1In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find
0No data.
4 Accuracy:
5co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates
4co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map
3co-ordinates scaled from a bad map
2co-ordinates of the nearest village
1co-ordinates of the nearest town
0no data
5

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I have visited· I would like to visit

eirrac5 would like to visit

MmeSinn visited on 27th Jul 2015 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 4

wordstone visited on 28th Aug 2014 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 4 Access: 5 Picked this up from Megalithic Portal - was disappointed at first to see that it was in the middle of a public park fronted by a play ground. However the site itself is very easily accessed and has a real sense of place about it. Evidence of recent 'offerings' being made. We followed the slope around the shrine which brings you on top of it. Very atmospheric.

swithunswift visited - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 5 This is a family-friendly site, the field has a recently renovated (2013) kids play area within view of the shrine, the adjoining pub is kid-friendly and serves great real ales, whilst the walls, river walks, museum and Grosvenor park are all within easy walking - and pram - distance. This is a special site archaeologically - are there any other in situ Roman shrines in the UK? For those interested in the spiritual facets of such sites, I have found this a deeply inspiring place to meditate at, especially sitting under the near-by lime trees bordering the Dee.

TimPrevett have visited here

Average ratings for this site from all visit loggers: Condition: 3.33 Ambience: 4 Access: 4.67

Chester Minerva shrine
Chester Minerva shrine submitted by HOLYWELL : Minerva's shrine Chester from the bridge. This shows the large sandstone rock it is carved into. (Vote or comment on this photo)
A unique site, in a park in Chester is a figure of Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and of soldiers. It is the only such site still in its original location in Northern Europe. The shrine is believed to have been carved into the sandstone block in the 2nd Century AD. The figure is badly worn but can still be made out.

It was protected by a hood in the 1800s. Minerva has an owl above her right shoulder and holds a spear. It is 4 feet 9 inches tall and 2 feet 6 inches wide.

The shrine is in a field called Edgar's Field after the King stayed at a palace on this field in 973 CE From here he visited St Johns Church so that six tributary kings could swear allegiance to him. He also gave his name to a small cave beside the shrine. Here it appears to the site was christinised by having a figure of the Virgin. Offerings were given to the Virgin who clearly was used to disguise the Minerva figure to make it more acceptable to the Medieval pious people of Chester. In Roman times offerings were given in this cave for safe passage across the Dee still famed for its annual human sacrifice!

Note: A new video shows how antiquarian illustrations can assist in visualising the heavily eroded and damaged but hugely important Minerva shrine, near Chester. As ever - see the comments on our page for more
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Chester Minerva shrine
Chester Minerva shrine submitted by AngieLake : I feel sure that the Romans chose to site their shrine to Minerva above these beautiful and unusual rocks, and chose the next outcrop they found for their carving. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Chester Minerva shrine
Chester Minerva shrine submitted by HOLYWELL : Minerva's shrine with the figure of Minerva (Vote or comment on this photo)

Chester Minerva Shrine
Chester Minerva Shrine submitted by TimPrevett : The Minerva Shrine - the only classical shrine surviving in its original location. (1 comment - Vote or comment on this photo)

Chester Minerva shrine
Chester Minerva shrine submitted by Antonine : 2017 (Vote or comment on this photo)

Chester Minerva shrine
Chester Minerva shrine submitted by AngieLake : A Roman bridge once stood here where the Old Dee Bridge crosses the River Dee. This one is Grade 1 listed and a Scheduled monument. The shrine is to my right here, up the slope of Edgar's Field. 25th May 2017.

Chester Minerva shrine
Chester Minerva shrine submitted by AngieLake : Heading east back towards the Old Dee Bridge, the lovely red wavy-patterned rocks appear at the edge of Edgar's Park.

Chester Minerva shrine
Chester Minerva shrine submitted by AngieLake : This view to west on the south bank must look pretty similar to the way the Romans saw it, though the Grosvenor Bridge (see city plan) was only opened in 1832, and was "built at a cost of £50,000 and for the next three decades was the greatest single span- at 200 feet across and 60 feet high- of any stone arch anywhere in the world." (Last quote from www.chesterwalls.info)

Chester Minerva shrine
Chester Minerva shrine submitted by AngieLake : A path along the south bank of the River Dee passes this colourful outcrop of rock.

Chester Minerva shrine
Chester Minerva shrine submitted by AngieLake : In this shot with the River Dee behind me, the view is spoiled by modern housing looming over the shrine. If you follow the path below the shrine to the right (west) here, you will come down to the river and see a wonderful outcrop of red rock by the south bank.

Chester Minerva shrine
Chester Minerva shrine submitted by AngieLake : The western side of the outcrop of stone, complete with graffiti. 25.5.17.

Chester Minerva shrine
Chester Minerva shrine submitted by AngieLake : A side view of the shrine's surround, with the opening of the cave beside it. "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 and it was refurbished in the late 20th century." (from: http://www.cheshirenow.co.uk). That proves that the diagonal marks on the side of the upright support are no...

Chester Minerva shrine
Chester Minerva shrine submitted by AngieLake : Wikipedia says this is a natural fissure in the rock that has been enlarged and is known as Edgar's Cave in later years. "In Roman times offerings were given in this cave for safe passage across the River Dee." (Last quote taken from http://www.cheshirenow.co.uk)

Chester Minerva shrine
Chester Minerva shrine submitted by AngieLake : This angle shows the proximity of the shrine to the River Dee and its south bank. 26.5.17.

Chester Minerva shrine
Chester Minerva shrine submitted by AngieLake : A bit more definition here.

Chester Minerva shrine
Chester Minerva shrine submitted by AngieLake : A direct view of the carving of Goddess Minerva. (Early pm. 26 May 17.) One would benefit from viewing this in the morning when there's partial sunlight on it to enhance the shapes.

Chester Minerva shrine
Chester Minerva shrine submitted by AngieLake : Attempting to get a better relief view of the carving of Minerva. Early pm on 25th May 2017, a very hot day.

Chester Minerva shrine
Chester Minerva shrine submitted by AngieLake : The carved surround frames the smaller goddess figure, and to its right the dark patch is the little 'cave' for deposits.

Chester Minerva shrine
Chester Minerva shrine submitted by AngieLake : Closer to the shrine, it looked rather sad really, and youngsters were playing on top of it - also a pungent smell of fragrant tobacco wafted down!

Chester Minerva shrine
Chester Minerva shrine submitted by AngieLake : The outcrop of rock with the shrine carved in its eastern face looks like an old barn from the distance.

Chester Minerva shrine
Chester Minerva shrine submitted by AngieLake : The information post at Edgar's Field gives a map of its layout, but if you know what you are looking for, it can be seen from here.

Chester Minerva shrine
Chester Minerva shrine submitted by AngieLake : Signpost, south of the River Dee, after crossing the Old Dee Bridge to Edgar's Field and Roman Shrine.

Chester Minerva shrine
Chester Minerva shrine submitted by AngieLake : A useful city map to help you find this shrine. (I asked a security guard in the multi-storey car park in central Chester and he'd never heard of Minerva's Shrine.) See No.17, Edgar's Field, where this sign was positioned. If you're in the city centre, head south of the river over Old Dee Bridge and Edgar's Field is on the right (west). A pleasant walk along the east bank, south of the river t...

Chester Minerva shrine
Chester Minerva shrine submitted by wordstone : Shrine may ancient but perhaps not inert - interesting that there is a selection of celtic/druid holy trees growing around the site, including oak and yew - which are not local. And offerings ( plants and a bird skull wrapped in muslin bag) were visible at the time of visit

Chester Minerva shrine
Chester Minerva shrine submitted by wordstone : wave formation at the riverside edge of the shrine.

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Nearby sites listing. In the following links * = Image available
 399m NNW 328° Grosvenor Museum* Museum (SJ40466595)
 473m NNE 13° Roman Garden & Hypocaust (Chester)* Ancient Village or Settlement (SJ40786607)
 572m NNE 24° St John the Baptist Church, Chester* Ancient Cross (SJ40916613)
 572m NNE 15° Roman Amphitheatre (Chester)* Ancient Temple (SJ40836616)
 710m NNW 345° Dewa Roman Experience* Museum (SJ405663)
 846m NE 45° Billy Hobby's Well* Holy Well or Sacred Spring (SJ4127766202)
 1.7km SSE 168° Heronbridge Roman Strip Settlement Ancient Village or Settlement (SJ410639)
 6.7km NE 47° St Plegmund's Well* Holy Well or Sacred Spring (SJ457701)
 7.1km S 182° Poulton Timber Circle* Ancient Village or Settlement (SJ4033558472)
 8.7km SSW 206° St Peter's Well (Denbighshire) Holy Well or Sacred Spring (SJ36735784)
 9.2km E 100° Brookhouse Farm Ancient Village or Settlement (SJ497639)
 9.4km NW 305° Modern Stones at Deeside Industrial Area* Modern Stone Circle etc (SJ330711)
 9.5km S 177° Knowl Plantation Barrow Cemetery (SJ410561)
 9.6km NNE 21° St Mary (Thornton Le Moors)* Ancient Cross (SJ44157455)
 9.8km S 177° Churton* Long Barrow (SJ411558)
 12.0km SW 233° Hope Church Early Medieval Stones* Ancient Cross (SJ310584)
 12.2km SSW 209° The Atropos Altar Stone* Sculptured Stone (SJ34645497)
 12.3km SSE 146° St Winefride's (Clutton)* Holy Well or Sacred Spring (SJ47395524)
 12.4km SW 228° Caer Estyn* Hillfort (SJ314574)
 12.5km WSW 236° Park in the Past* Museum (SJ301588)
 12.6km E 81° Kelsborrow Castle* Hillfort (SJ5315567509)
 13.0km NW 311° Hampston's Well* Holy Well or Sacred Spring (SJ3099074309)
 13.0km NE 41° Helsby Hill* Hillfort (SJ493754)
 13.1km NW 307° Burton Point* Promontory Fort / Cliff Castle (SJ302736)
 13.2km SSE 154° Carden Park* Cave or Rock Shelter (SJ463537)
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"Chester Minerva shrine" | Login/Create an Account | 9 News and Comments
  
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Re: Chester Minerva shrine by Hatty on Sunday, 17 February 2019
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Near-miraculous indeed. How on earth to explain how a sandstone carving purporting to be second century AD could survive into the nineteenth century AD and beyond.

It would be nice if posters could give their primary source(s) rather than just relaying statements from an unknown quarter with no date attached.
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Chester Minerva shrine by Andy B on Sunday, 17 February 2019
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    What are you referring to please Hatty? What statement from an unknown quarter with no date attached? It's Roger Lang's research, see his work if you want to see the primary source.
    [ Reply to This ]
      Re: Chester Minerva shrine by Hatty on Sunday, 17 February 2019
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      Roger Lang says the original statue has been damaged and it appears that no known image of the statue existed before Stukeley. We have no way of knowing if Stukeley's 300-year old drawing is what he saw or what he thought it would have looked like had it not been damaged.

      [ Reply to This ]

Video: Chester’s Minerva Shrine gets a digital afterlife by Andy B on Friday, 15 February 2019
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Howard M R Williams writes: Chester’s Minerva Shrine is a near-miraculous and unique survival of an open-air rock-cut shrine to the pagan Roman goddess Minerva. It has been dated to the early 2nd century AD when it would have overlooked quarries and the Roman road heading south over the Dee from the fortress of the Legio XX Valeria Victrix.

Situated in Edgar’s Field, Handbridge, Chester, it is a Grade I listed monument. It has been afforded no adequate heritage protection from the elements, let alone from accidental or deliberate human damage. Therefore, this is an irreplaceable monument and yet it is slowing eroding out of existence through passive neglect.

One of my students, Roger Lang conducted a survey of past research on the Minerva shrine, and as a sideline of his endeavours, he created a fabulous video to suggest how antiquarian illustrations can assist in visualising the heavily eroded and damaged monument for visitors today. As highlighted at the end of the video, Roger is also working to collaborate with experts in AR (Augmented Reality) to 3D visualise the Minerva Shrine for visitors to the site.

more here: https://howardwilliamsblog.wordpress.com/2019/02/15/chesters-minerva-shrine-to-get-a-digital-afterlife/

and watch Roger's video here:


https://vimeo.com/310318096


[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Video: Chester’s Minerva Shrine gets a digital afterlife by AngieLake on Saturday, 16 February 2019
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    Very good. Thanks.
    [ Reply to This ]
    Re: Video: Chester’s Minerva Shrine gets a digital afterlife by ForestDaughter on Wednesday, 20 February 2019
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    Fabulous video and a thanks from me too. :)
    [ Reply to This ]

Re: Chester Minerva shrine by Anonymous on Wednesday, 11 April 2018
How did this shrine survive religious bigotry and Everything from Henry VIII to evangelical Christians destroying it ?
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Chester Minerva shrine by Hatty on Tuesday, 19 February 2019
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    Perhaps because it wasn't yet constructed. After all the only 'eye witness' is Stukeley in the 1720s and Stukeley could be taken for a ride [see Charles Bertram and the 'Roman' roads].
    [ Reply to This ]

Re: Chester Minerva shrine - STREET VIEW by Judy6 on Sunday, 18 April 2010
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