5763 x 3847 px | 48,8 x 32,6 cm | 19,2 x 12,8 inches | 300dpi
Data acquisizione:
4 maggio 2013
Ubicazione:
Vicars' Close, in Wells, Somerset, England, is claimed to be the oldest purely residential street
Altre informazioni:
Vicars' Close, in Wells, Somerset, England, is claimed to be the oldest purely residential street with its original buildings all-surviving intact in Europe. John Julius Norwich calls it "that rarest of survivals, a planned street of the mid-14th century". It comprises numerous Grade 1 listed buildings, comprising 27 residences (originally 44), built for Bishop Ralph of Shrewsbury, a chapel and library at the north end, and a hall at the south end, over an arched gate. It is connected at its southern end to the cathedral by way of a walkway over Chain Gate. The Close is about 460 ft (140 m) long, and paved with setts. Its width is tapered by 10 ft (3 m) to make it look longer when viewed from the main entrance nearest the cathedral. When viewed from the other end it looks shorter. By the nineteenth century the buildings were reported to be in a poor state of repair, and part of the hall was being used as a malthouse.
