Monmouth County Gaol, County prison gatehouse in Monmouth, Wales.
Description
Monmouth County Gaol is a gatehouse featuring stone walls with Georgian architectural details and colored glass panels depicting the original prison layout. The remaining structure conveys the scale and arrangement of what once stood on the site.
History
The prison was built in 1790 to designs by architect William Blackburn and operated until 1869. Most structures were demolished in 1884, leaving only the gatehouse standing today.
Culture
The gatehouse reflects how 18th-century British prisons handled different categories of prisoners, with systems that separated those held for debt from common criminals. This separation shaped the physical design and daily routines within the walls.
Practical
The gatehouse is located on North Parade and is grade II listed, making it an important protected building. It forms part of the Monmouth Heritage Trail, which allows visitors to connect this site with other historical locations in the town.
Did you know?
The roof of the gatehouse served as the site for public executions until 1859, drawing large crowds to witness these events. This dark chapter forms an important part of the site's historical identity.
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