Y Gaer (cultural hub) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Y Gaer |
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Y Gaer
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| Location | Glamorgan Street, Brecon |
| Built | 1843 |
| Architect | Thomas Henry Wyatt and David Brandon |
| Architectural style(s) | Neoclassical style |
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Listed Building – Grade II*
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| Official name: Brecknock Museum | |
| Designated | 16 January 1952 |
| Reference no. | 7116 |
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Y Gaer (which means the fortress in English) is an important building in Brecon, Powys, Wales. This amazing place is home to a museum, an art gallery, and a library. It also includes a very old part that used to be the main meeting place for the area's government. Because of its history and special design, Y Gaer is a listed building of Grade II* status.
Contents
History of Y Gaer
Building the Shire Hall
The oldest part of Y Gaer was built a long time ago, in 1843. It was called the shire hall. Important local leaders decided to build it. They needed a place for court hearings, which were called "quarter sessions" and "assizes" back then.
Two architects, Thomas Henry Wyatt and David Brandon, designed the building. They used a style called neoclassical. This style is inspired by ancient Greek and Roman buildings. The shire hall was built with large, smooth blocks of stone called ashlar.
The front of the building has a grand look. It has five sections, with the middle three standing out. These middle sections feature tall, strong columns in the Doric order style. Above the columns, there is a stone beam called an entablature. It has the words "Victoria Regina MDCCCXLII" carved into it. This means "Queen Victoria 1842." There are also decorative carvings called friezes with triglyphs and modillioned pediments. Inside, the main room was the courtroom.
Changes Over Time
Over the years, the shire hall's purpose changed. In 1888, a new law created county councils. These councils needed a place to meet. So, the shire hall became the meeting place for the Brecknockshire County Council.
The building continued to host court hearings until 1971. The county council also met there until 1974. After that, the old shire hall was empty for a while.
A New Home for the Museum
The Brecknock Museum had been in a different building since 1928. In 1974, the museum moved into the empty shire hall. It was a great new home for their collections. One special item was a tombstone of a young soldier named Candidus. This tombstone was found at Y Gaer, which was a local Roman fort.
Creating a Modern Cultural Hub
In August 2016, a big project began to turn the building into a new cultural center. Money for this project came from the Heritage Lottery Fund. This fund helps protect and celebrate important heritage sites.
The project involved building new parts and updating the old ones. An old police station and a newer county hall building were taken down. A modern building was then built in their place. This new part was connected to the historic shire hall.
The company Kier Group carried out the work. It cost about £14 million. The project included fixing up the old shire hall. It also created a brand new art gallery. A new library building was also built for Brecon Library, which moved from its old location.
The whole complex was named Y Gaer. This name was chosen to remember the nearby Roman fort. The construction work was finished in December 2019. Today, Y Gaer is a vibrant place for everyone to enjoy history, art, and books.
See also
- Grade II* listed buildings in Powys
