Chester in Cheshire West and Chester, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

North Gate Gaol & the Bridge of Sighs

Photographed By Ray Gurganus, April 12, 2024

1. North Gate Gaol & the Bridge of Sighs Marker

Inscription. Chester's medieval North Gate was both a defensive gateway and the city gaol, protecting the city from threats within and without.

This artist's impression shows a prisoner in around 1790 walking over the 'Bridge of Sighs' to recede his last rites in the Chapel of Little St John. Prior to this he might have spent his last few days and hours in the 'Dead Man's Room' - the cell for prisoners who were waiting to be executed.

The City Walls were last patrolled during the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745. In 1808 work began on demolishing the medieval North Gate and it was replaced with a wide and elegant Georgian archway.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1790.

Location. 53° 11.634′ N, 2° 53.611′ W. Marker is in Chester, England, in Cheshire West and Chester. Marker is on Northgate Street, on the right when traveling south. The marker is mounted to a cement post on the bridge crossing the canal, just to the north of Northgate, with a view looking directly at the Bridge of Sighs. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 91 Northgate Street, Chester, England CH1 4EE, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Red Lion (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Pied Bull (about 90 meters

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away); King Charles Tower (about 210 meters away); Celebrating Nature's Glory in Art (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); Roman Gardens (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); The Roman Amphitheatre (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); a different marker also named Roman Amphitheatre (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); Bathing in Style (approx. 0.7 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chester.

Bridge of Sighs image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Ray Gurganus, April 12, 2024

2. Bridge of Sighs

Credits. This page was last revised on May 13, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 12, 2024, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 88 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 12, 2024, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.