Glastonbury Market Cross facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Glastonbury Cross |
|
|---|---|
The Market Cross in 2018
|
|
| Location | Glastonbury, Somerset, England |
| Built | 1856 |
| Architect | Benjamin Ferrey |
|
Listed Building – Grade II
|
|
| Official name: Market Cross | |
| Designated | 21 June 1950 |
| Reference no. | 1057910 |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
The Glastonbury Market Cross is a special monument found in Glastonbury, a town in Somerset, England. It is a type of structure called a market cross, which was often built in market towns. This cross was put up in 1846.
A famous English architect named Benjamin Ferrey designed it. Since 1950, it has been recognized as a Grade II listed building. This means it is an important historical structure that should be protected.
History of the Cross
The market cross you see today in Glastonbury is not the first one. An older cross stood in its place before. This original cross was built in the early 1500s. It was described as being very old, with an eight-sided shape. It had many pillars, a central column, and a roof.
Over time, the old cross became very damaged. It was taken down around 1806 because it was falling apart. Later, in the 1800s, a person named T. Porch suggested building a new market cross. He owned Glastonbury Abbey at the time.
The new cross was built in 1846. Benjamin Ferrey oversaw its construction. The cross was also repaired and cleaned most recently in 2005.
Design and Appearance
The Glastonbury Cross is made from a type of stone called Bath stone. This stone is known for its light color and is often used in buildings. The cross is built in a style called Perpendicular Gothic. This is a type of architecture from the late Middle Ages.
The cross stands about 38 feet (11.6 meters) tall. It has an eight-sided base. On top of the base is a tall, thin spire. This spire is decorated with beautiful patterns and detailed stone carvings called tracery.
In 1846, a magazine called The Gentleman's Magazine wrote about the new cross. They said it was a "beautiful structure" and made the town look much better. They also mentioned its "grand and impressive look." The magazine compared its design to other famous structures. These included a fountain in Rouen, France, and the elegant crosses at Geddington and Waltham in England.
