Bridge of Sighs, Chester
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/Bridge_of_Sighs_Chester_392.jpg/220px-Bridge_of_Sighs_Chester_392.jpg)
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
The 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
- Grade II listed buildings in Chester (north and west)
References
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- ^ "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
53°11′37.86″N 2°53′37.43″W / 53.1938500°N 2.8937306°W / 53.1938500; -2.8937306
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- t
- e
- Sections of Chester city walls and associated structures
- Barnaby's Tower
- Bonewaldesthorne's Tower
- Chester Castle
- Morgan's Mount
- Pemberton's Parlour (Goblin Tower)
- Phoenix Tower
- Recorder's Steps
- Thimbleby's Tower
- Water Tower
City gates and other related gates |
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- Ancient Roman defensive walls
- Bridge of Sighs
- Castra
- Chester Cathedral
- Chester Cross
- Chester Roman Amphitheatre
- Chester Rows
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- River Dee
- Deva Victrix
- Listed buildings in Chester
- History of Chester
- List of walls
- Minerva's Shrine
- Nine Houses
- Old Dee Bridge
- Shropshire Union Canal
- Siege of Chester
- Town walls in England and Wales
- Via Devana