This is the only remaining medieval gate of the city of Bath.
Embiggen the picture to see the scores and scratches on its walls, caused by all the carts going up and down to the river to load and offload goods to and from boats.
A thousand questions. Who digs up the weeds? Are those joints painted black with something like creosote, to protect from water? That pipe drains water. Is the water just from the ground, or does the pipe connect to a drainage ditch? That seems more reasonable in completely cultivated Bath. Is there a contemporary map of all the gates? Were there the obvious North, South, East, West, or fewer, or more with interesting names. Or, should I just go wandering around Google?
Answers in sequence: Occasionally, the council does the weeding. The black in the joints is made from potash mixed with the mortar - it's called black mortar. It is a rainwater pipe, so probably drains to the nearby river. Yes there is a map - I have a copy of it. The four gates were indeed on the points of the compass. Eastgate is all that is left, plus a short section of wall near Westgate.
It leads down to a massive arcade with vast arched rooms overlooking the river. I have been trying to persuade people to turn the whole area into shops and restaurants, and although the council say they have plans to do this, they have not done anything for the 46 years I have been in Bath. It is a terrible waste of public property which could provide a huge revenue for the city. There must be dozens of investors willing to chip in, but the council's property department is a greedy shambles.
Can one sit on top? Dangle your legs off the side and wave to those passing under? I'd like that job please.
ReplyDeleteIt would be a lonely job these days.
DeleteA thousand questions. Who digs up the weeds? Are those joints painted black with something like creosote, to protect from water? That pipe drains water. Is the water just from the ground, or does the pipe connect to a drainage ditch? That seems more reasonable in completely cultivated Bath. Is there a contemporary map of all the gates? Were there the obvious North, South, East, West, or fewer, or more with interesting names. Or, should I just go wandering around Google?
ReplyDeleteAnswers in sequence: Occasionally, the council does the weeding. The black in the joints is made from potash mixed with the mortar - it's called black mortar. It is a rainwater pipe, so probably drains to the nearby river. Yes there is a map - I have a copy of it. The four gates were indeed on the points of the compass. Eastgate is all that is left, plus a short section of wall near Westgate.
DeleteCan you locate your map on google and put it on your blog? Or make a link. A shame you have such trouble getting near it.
DeleteI love these reminders of the past Tom and Bath is not short of one or two is it.
ReplyDeleteMost reminders of Bath's past were destroyed but the Georgians in the 18th century - except the Roman ones, of course. They 'gentrified' the city.
DeleteCan people go down to it?
ReplyDeleteSometimes, but the city fucking elders refuse to exploit it and the glorious surroundings on the grounds that it would cost too much in upkeep.
DeleteThat's a shame.
DeleteIt leads down to a massive arcade with vast arched rooms overlooking the river. I have been trying to persuade people to turn the whole area into shops and restaurants, and although the council say they have plans to do this, they have not done anything for the 46 years I have been in Bath. It is a terrible waste of public property which could provide a huge revenue for the city. There must be dozens of investors willing to chip in, but the council's property department is a greedy shambles.
DeleteTo echo Jane's comment, that is a shame!
DeleteI've seen it! (And can tell you that - being able to comment again - thanks!)
ReplyDeleteYes you have, Britta. I didn't do anything to get you reconnected, but thanks to you too!
Delete