We chose Chester as a basecamp in part because we wanted to see the city itself--a new one to us--its Roman bits, the cathedral/abbey complex, and its many central city buildings, both late Medieval and Victorian. We were not disappointed in any respect. It's a beautiful place, reminiscent of York in many ways. Evidently, Roman strategic thinking was that, once Scotland was subdued, Chester would become the capital of the province. It would be another 16 centuries, of course, before the Scots finally cooperated, and by then London had won the honor. In any case, we much enjoyed our visit, which was enhanced by one of the better lunches we have had on the road.
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| Roman walls towering on the right; a canal and narrow boats |
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| Other side of Roman walls |
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| The gate is a Victorian re-imagination of the Roman north gate |
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Ignore the cars...behind them is one very beautiful building, the home of
Chez Jules, Chester's premier restaurant francais... |
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We, of course, could not resist; and the place was, as expected, way
over the top |
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| From simple hardware |
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| To the beautiful upstairs dining room |
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Impossible to keep a straight face...I even had an opportunity to
laugh at someone else's "French" pronunciation...for once |
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| Thursday evenings the upper floor becomes a classic movie theater |
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We both had the steak/frites, and it was better than any steak/frites
we've had in Paris, except at the Relais d'Entrecote... |
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| Former coachworks, now shopping mall |
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The 14th century vaulted abbey gateway...we'll get to the abbey
and cathedral in the next post |
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| Neo-Gothic city hall |
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| Interesting concepts... |
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Most of the centre ville is like this, well preserved late Medieval or
or beautifully re-created in Victorian times |
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| The usual excellent interpretive signage |
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| Street after street |
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| Sic transit, Gloria |
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More Roman bits (heating system)...in the back of a womens wear
store... |
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| Old map of the precinct |
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| More Roman bits |
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The city jail was outside the walls, with this "bridge of
sighs" leading to it... |
