Hannen Columbarium facts for kids
The Hannen Columbarium is a special building in Wargrave, Berkshire, England. It's like a peaceful resting place for the ashes of people who have been cremated. This unique building was designed by a famous architect named Edwin Lutyens for the Hannen family.
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The Hannen Columbarium: A Special Resting Place
What is a Columbarium?
A columbarium is a building or a room with small spaces, often called niches, where urns containing the ashes of people who have been cremated are kept. It's a type of mausoleum, which is a building that acts as a monument and a burial place.
Who Built It? The Story of Edwin Lutyens
The Hannen Columbarium was designed by Edwin Lutyens, a very well-known English architect. Lutyens became friends with the Hannen family around 1897. From 1902 to 1905, he even had Nicholas Hannen, a member of the family, train with him in architecture.
Why Was It Built? Sir Nicholas Hannen's Legacy
The columbarium was built between 1906 and 1907. It was made to hold the ashes of Nicholas's father, Sir Nicholas Hannen. Sir Nicholas was an important person. He worked as a barrister (a type of lawyer), a diplomat (someone who represents their country abroad), and a judge. He passed away in Shanghai in 1900. Lutyens was asked to design this special resting place in 1905.
Inside the Hannen Columbarium: Design and Details
Lutyens created a unique design for the columbarium. It mixes different styles, including Byzantine Revival (inspired by ancient Roman and Greek art), Arts and Crafts (focusing on traditional craftsmanship), and classical styles.
The building is about 12 feet (3.7 m) square. It's made of red brick, red tiles, glass tiles, and stone. You can find it in the southeast part of the graveyard at St. Mary's Church in Wargrave.
Inside, Lutyens designed a circular space called a "cella." This cella is supported by four strong pillars, which hold up arches that form a saucer-shaped dome above. The cella is decorated with a special message from the Bible, Luke chapter 20, verse 38: 'He Is Not The God Of The Dead But Of The Living For All Live Unto Him'.
Protecting History: The Columbarium Today
The Hannen Columbarium is a very important historical building. It is listed as a Grade II* listed building, which means it's considered a particularly important building of more than special interest. It was repaired in 1985, but people are still concerned about its condition.
This columbarium is Lutyens's earliest design for a mausoleum. Along with another of his works, Heathcote, it shows how he started to fully use classical architecture in his designs.
