Temple Bar in London
Colin Wilson
I well remember seeing Temple Bar in the late 1980s, soon after moving to Cheshunt. It was then looking very sorry for itself, among trees not far from the Great Cambridge Road.
However, it was moved back to London, the reconstruction being completed by 2004. You’ll find it if you stand on the steps to the west door of St Paul’s Cathedral, looking towards the cathedral, and turn your head to the left. It has been very cleverly inserted between the buildings and looks as if it’s always been there.
There is an information plaque nearby. Looking at it does raise questions about the figures. Those now on the monument do not look the same as on the illustrations, and an image stored at HALS has no figures in the niches.
A marker in front of the Royal Courts of Justice denotes the original site of the Temple Bar. Probably designed by no less a person than Sir Christopher Wren, it is the only survivor of the eight gates to the City.
See also:
http://www.hertsmemories.org.uk/content/herts-history/towns-and-villages/waltham-cross/temple_bar-2
https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/about-the-city/history/Pages/temple-bar.aspx
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I used to go for walks in woods up by Temple Bar, and as you say, it had been allowed to fall into a very sorry state. Although it was a loss of a landmark for Cheshunt, I think the return to the City was a good thing.
I’m not sure about the statues. Maybe they were stored elsewhere after the removal and returned when it was moved back. Or maybe they’re replicas of lost originals. I’ll see if I can find out.