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Bridge Of Sighs

Once the last route taken by condemned prisoners.

Chester, England

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Gavin
The footbridge was used to take prisoners from the City gaol on site of No.1 Upper Northgate Street (qv) to the former Chapel of St John in the south wing of the Bluecoat School.   Gavin / Atlas Obscura User
Information panel.   Gavin / Atlas Obscura User
Sign with bridge in background.   Gavin / Atlas Obscura User
photo of image on information panel of artist impression from 1790.   Gavin / Atlas Obscura User
Bridge over the Chester canal with canal boat traveling underneath.   Gavin / Atlas Obscura User
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View from City Wall   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Information Placard   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
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  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
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  rbenn250 / Atlas Obscura User
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This bridge was constructed during the late 1700s and was used to take prisoners condemned to death from the city jail to the former Chapel of St John on the other side of the canal.

This was done to allow prisoners to receive the last rites. Here, they could make their peace and may have spent their last few days and hours in the "dead man's room" before being led back to the gallows.

The footbridge had a metal railing on each side and was used rather than taking the prisoners through the streets, preventing the possibility of escape.

 

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The bridge is Grade II listed. The footbridge can be viewed at anytime from the road bridge on Northgate St near the Northgate.

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Gavin

Published

September 23, 2022

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