Mussenden Temple facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mussenden Temple |
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| General information | |
| Location | County Londonderry, Northern Ireland |
| Inaugurated | 1785 |
| Owner | National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty |
Mussenden Temple is a small, round building located on tall cliffs near Castlerock in County Londonderry. It sits high above the Atlantic Ocean on the north-western coast of Northern Ireland. This historic temple offers amazing views and has a fascinating past.
Contents
History of Mussenden Temple
Mussenden Temple was built in 1785. It is part of a large estate called the Downhill Demesne. A "demesne" is a big area of land that once belonged to a wealthy family.
The Earl-Bishop's Vision
The Downhill Demesne was owned by Frederick Augustus Hervey, 4th Earl of Bristol. He was also the Church of Ireland Bishop of Derry from 1768 to 1803. People often called him "the Earl-Bishop." He was the one who decided to build Mussenden Temple.
The Earl-Bishop designed the temple to be a library. He based its design on the Temple of Vesta in Rome, Italy. He dedicated the temple to his niece, Frideswide Mussenden. The walls inside were once filled with bookshelves.
Keeping Books Safe
Even though the temple is in a very windy and exposed spot, the books inside never got damp. This was because a fire was kept burning constantly in the basement. The smoke went up an enclosed chimney. This clever system kept the air dry and protected the valuable books.
Protecting the Temple from Erosion
The temple sits right on the edge of cliffs overlooking Downhill Strand. Long ago, you could even drive a carriage around it! But over time, the sea has worn away the cliffs. This process, called coastal erosion, has brought the temple closer to the edge.
In 1997, The National Trust did important work to stop the cliff from eroding further. This helped to save the building from falling into the sea.
The Temple's Special Message
Around the outside of the temple, there is an inscription in Latin. It says:
"Suave, mari magno turbantibus aequora ventis
e terra magnum alterius spectare laborem."
"Tis pleasant, safely to behold from shore
The troubled sailor, and hear the tempests roar."
This quote is from an ancient Roman poem by Lucretius called De Rerum Natura. It means it's nice to watch a stormy sea from the safety of the land.
A Gift for a Niece
The Earl-Bishop built this library as a special gift for his niece, Mrs. Frideswide Mussenden. He named it in her honor. He wanted it to be a quiet place where she could relax when she visited him. He called her his "cher cousin" and admired her beauty. The Earl-Bishop was very sad when Frideswide passed away.
He noted that the building's design was inspired by Bramante's Tempietto in Rome. This smaller temple was itself based on the Temple of Vesta at Tivoli, near Rome. The building was likely constructed by Micheal Shanahan, who traveled with the Earl-Bishop to Italy many times.
Mussenden Temple Today
Mussenden Temple is now part of a property managed by The National Trust. The grounds, which include Mussenden Temple and the main house (Downhill Castle), are open to the public all year. You can visit from dawn until dusk.
Amazing Views
From the temple, you can see incredible views. To the west, you can look over Downhill Strand towards Magilligan Point and across to Inishowen in County Donegal. To the east, you can see Castlerock beach, Portstewart, Portrush, and Fair Head.
Special Events
Since 2007, Mussenden Temple has been licensed to hold civil wedding ceremonies. Imagine getting married in such a beautiful and historic place!
The closest train station to Mussenden Temple is Castlerock railway station.
See also
In Spanish: Templo de Mussenden para niños
