Chapel of the Three Kings of Cologne, Medieval chapel at Colston Street, Bristol, England
The Chapel of the Three Kings of Cologne is a small medieval religious building located on Colston Street in Bristol. It features carved figures representing the Magi in its recessed wall areas and a small bell tower set into its gable.
The chapel was built in 1504 by John Foster, a prominent local figure who served as mayor and member of parliament for Bristol. His construction of this religious building reflected his wealth and standing in the community.
The chapel takes its name from the Shrine of the Three Kings in Cologne, reflecting the medieval trading connections between Bristol and continental Europe. This choice of dedication shows how the city looked beyond its shores to distant pilgrimage sites.
The chapel sits at the top of Christmas Steps and remains visible from public areas, though the surrounding residential buildings are now privately owned. You can walk past and view the exterior easily from the stepped pathway.
The carved Magi figures now seen on the chapel were added only in the 1960s, designed specifically by sculptor Ernest Pascoe. This mid-twentieth-century addition means the most eye-catching statuary is actually modern rather than medieval.
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