On the River Dee near the Welsh border lays the city of Chester. It has grown from the small medieval towns into a bustling city with a population of over a quarter of a million people. Founded during the 70sAD the city of Chester was originally named Deva. The name was later changed in the 12th century to Caerlleon. The simpler name of Chester didn't emerge unti the 14th century.
Today there are many Victorian and Medieval pieces of architecture still noticeable in the town today. One thing most visitors will notice is the many beautiful black and white buildings located in the town. These buildings are Victorian restorations.
There are other examples of Victorian architecture throughout the city. Chester Town Hall is a perfect example of one of these types of buildings. Originally built in 1698 the building was burnt down in 1862. The current building, which cost approximately £40,000 at the time (equivalent to £2.76 million today), was built out of sandstone. The clock tower, which was built considerably later than the rest of the building, is built in the same manner as the rest of the building. The interior of the building is considered to be of Victorian architecture while the exterior of the building is in what could be argued to be a more Gothic architecture. Today the town hall is more of a symbolic hall than the actual seat of the city government. You can "hire" the many of the rooms in the hall and you can even get married here.
Of course one of the major attractions for visitors to the city is the city walls. Chester is among the few cities in England to have completed city walls. The walls circle the entire city, nearly two miles. The only break in the wall is the southwest section in front of the town hall. There are foot paths along the tops of the walls and several cross roads over the various gates. It is an amazing structure to see, and to see a city with the walls still mostly intact is a site to be hold.
The East gate to the city is simply called Eastgate. Here visitors will find Eastgate Clock. After Big Ben in London, Eastgate Clock is the most photographed clock in England. Designed and built in the late 1800s the Eastgate Clock is the first of the enhancements that was ordered to be performed on the East Gate. The clock faces were glazed in1988 after souvenir hunters stole the famous clock's hands. The clock has been restored to its original colors as of 1996.
Chester is home to many architectural and historical marvels that will please visitors to the area. From historic castles and walls to the Abby and cathedral this city has it all. Victorian to neoclassical there is an architectural style for every taste.
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