whaddyawant
24-05-2010, 07:41 PM
Taken whilst working there, a brief history taken from Wakefield M C website :
Pontefract Hermitage
Not strictly speaking a 'building' but it is one of the more unusual structures in the district.
Below the Southgate entrance to Pontefract General Infirmary is a little known monument, which has been described as "surprising and remarkable".
Discovered in October 1854 by workmen laying a new sewer in Southgate the Hermitage consists of two chambers; a well, reached by a spiral staircase of 63 steps and an oratory, both excavated by hand from the solid rock.
The oratory, with an altar including a cross, a fireplace and a seat has a domed ceiling (almost 8 feet at its highest point) and meaures 14 feet by 8 feet.
The first hermit recorded in Pontefract was Peter of Pomfret who was executed by King John in 1213 for predicting his downfall.
In 1386 there are records of a Robert de Laythorpe granting the hermit, Brother Adam, the hermitage and accompanying land for life.
http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/6848/herment.jpg
The Hermitage entrance.
http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/240/herm.jpg
Stairwell leading down, all hand carved from the sandstone.
http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/9531/hermskull.jpg
Human skull placed there by hospital staff.
http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/9117/hermcarving.jpg
Carving, this has been carved into the roof of the stairwell just before you reach the bottom.
http://img532.imageshack.us/img532/7078/hermwell.jpg
Finally the Hermitage well, said to be where the hermit got his daily water from, now installed two sump pumps continuosly pumping around 900L per hour due to the new hospital being built next door.
Next door to the well is another smaller cave called the Oratory, this is where the hermit lived and prayed, not very exiting so didnt bother with photos from there.
Pontefract Hermitage
Not strictly speaking a 'building' but it is one of the more unusual structures in the district.
Below the Southgate entrance to Pontefract General Infirmary is a little known monument, which has been described as "surprising and remarkable".
Discovered in October 1854 by workmen laying a new sewer in Southgate the Hermitage consists of two chambers; a well, reached by a spiral staircase of 63 steps and an oratory, both excavated by hand from the solid rock.
The oratory, with an altar including a cross, a fireplace and a seat has a domed ceiling (almost 8 feet at its highest point) and meaures 14 feet by 8 feet.
The first hermit recorded in Pontefract was Peter of Pomfret who was executed by King John in 1213 for predicting his downfall.
In 1386 there are records of a Robert de Laythorpe granting the hermit, Brother Adam, the hermitage and accompanying land for life.
http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/6848/herment.jpg
The Hermitage entrance.
http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/240/herm.jpg
Stairwell leading down, all hand carved from the sandstone.
http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/9531/hermskull.jpg
Human skull placed there by hospital staff.
http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/9117/hermcarving.jpg
Carving, this has been carved into the roof of the stairwell just before you reach the bottom.
http://img532.imageshack.us/img532/7078/hermwell.jpg
Finally the Hermitage well, said to be where the hermit got his daily water from, now installed two sump pumps continuosly pumping around 900L per hour due to the new hospital being built next door.
Next door to the well is another smaller cave called the Oratory, this is where the hermit lived and prayed, not very exiting so didnt bother with photos from there.