Athens on the Euston Road

Beardy Vulcan II
recent  |  interesting  |  random  |  favorites  |  contacts  |  sets  |  tags:  
Athens on the Euston Road
Athens on the Euston Road

The terracotta caryatids (female figures that serve as the architectural support for the upper part of a classical building) of St. Pancras Church are a remarkable feature that brings a touch of Athenian elegance to the bustling Euston Road in London. These statues, modeled by John Charles Felix Rossi, are inspired by the Erechtheum on the Acropolis in Athens. However, they hold unique symbolism appropriate for their setting; each caryatid holds an extinguished torch or an empty jug, signifying their role as guardians of the dead, standing above the entrances to the church's crypt. The church itself, a Grade I listed building, is an early example of Greek Revival architecture in England, designed by William and Henry William Inwood. It was consecrated in 1822 and is noted for its impressive Ionic columns and the octagonal tower modeled after the Tower of the Winds, also from the Acropolis. The caryatids are made of terracotta, constructed in sections around cast-iron columns—a testament to the fusion of ancient inspiration and industrial-era innovation.

The Church was built primarily to serve the newly built up parts of the parish close to Euston Road. The building of St Pancras church was agreed in 1816. After a competition involving thirty or so tenders, designs by the local architect William Inwood, in collaboration with his son Henry William Inwood, were accepted. The builder was Isaac Seabrook. The first stone was laid by Prince Frederick, Duke of York at a ceremony on 1 July 1819. It was carved with a Greek inscription, of which the English translation was "May the light of the blessed Gospel thus ever illuminate the dark temples of the Heathen".

The church is in a Greek revival style, using the Ionic order. It is built from brick, faced with Portland stone, except for the portico and the tower above the roof, which are entirely of stone. All the external decoration, including the capitals of the columns is of terracotta.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Pancras_New_Church

© All Rights Reserved
Taken on: April 26, 2022
Tags: Everybody's photos tagged with England England Everybody's photos tagged with sping sping Everybody's photos tagged with 2022 2022 more » Everybody's photos tagged with April April Everybody's photos tagged with London London Everybody's photos tagged with Terracotta Terracotta Everybody's photos tagged with Caryatid Caryatid Everybody's photos tagged with St. Pancras Church St. Pancras Church Everybody's photos tagged with Church Church Everybody's photos tagged with Door Door Everybody's photos tagged with Spring Spring Everybody's photos tagged with Night Night Everybody's photos tagged with Nocturnal Nocturnal Everybody's photos tagged with Classical Classical « less
Sets appears in:   • Spring    • History   
Groups appears in:   • England    • Thames Valley    more » • Strictly GeoTagged (no 30/60 limit)    • Britain at Night    • !! Night Street Photography # Urban Pictures # No 30/60 Limit !!    • Top_lens_photography    • Churches in Europe    • The best photographs from around the world.    • A PLACE TO VISIT. EUROPE    • Holy Sites Architecture (no 30/60 limit)    • Nice Places to Visit - No 30/60 Limit - Photos & Videos Welcome.    • ALL THE THINGS! (no 30/60 limit)    • (A) BEAUTIFUL HISTORY    « less
Camera: Canon PowerShot SX730 HS, f/3.3, 0.3 sec, 4.3mm, ISO 1600 (more info) (hide info)
Camera: Canon PowerShot SX730 HS
Aperture: f/3.3
Exposure Time: 0.3
Focal Length: 4.3mm
ISO: 1600
Exposure Bias: -2/3 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire
Exposure Mode: Manual
Metering Mode: Multi-segment
White Balance: Auto
Color Space: sRGB
Software: Adobe Photoshop Elements 12.0 Windows
Show full info
Stats: 123 views / 3 comments