OS grid reference SJ 406 656 Designated 28 July 1955 | Built 2nd century Reference no. 1375783 | |
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Location Edgar's Field, Handbridge, Chester, England Address Edgar Pl, Chester CH4 7JY, UK Similar Cowper House, Leche House, Anchorite's Cell - Chester, Old Dee Bridge, Bishop Lloyd's House | ||
Minerva's Shrine is a shrine to the Roman goddess Minerva in Edgar's Field, Handbridge, Chester, England. It is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building. The shrine dates from the early 2nd century and is carved into the face of a sandstone quarry. It is the only monument of its kind in Western Europe that remains in its original location. It is protected by a 19th-century stone surround with a hood and it was refurbished in the late 20th century. The carving has weathered over the centuries and has also been damaged by human activity. Next to the shrine is an opening into the rock face which is possibly a natural fissure that has been enlarged and which is known as 'Edgar's Cave'.
The shrine stands beside the route of the old main Roman road into the fortress of Deva from the south. Minerva was the Roman goddess of war, knowledge and craftsmanship. She is often depicted with her attributes of helmet, shield, breastplate, and spear, but in this instance, she is shown in a simplified form, standing in a representation of a temple. The Roman quarry, together with Edgar's Field and the image of Minerva, is a Scheduled Monument.
A cast of the shrine is kept in Chester's Grosvenor Museum.