One of Bristol’s most stunning heritage sites is set to reopen following a million-pound conservation project. Nestled within a tree-lined garden behind Victoria Street is the historic Temple Church, which will allow public access for the first time in more than three decades.
For the last two years the fragile site has been subjected to significant restoration work by English Heritage and to celebrate its completion, it will partake in the Bristol Light Festival with a dramatic art installation and the arrival of ‘Continuum’ set to light up the historic space from tomorrow (February 3) to February 12.
The ‘Continuum’ by artist llumaphonium is a fun, captivating installation that invites visitors to walk between 25 mirrored monoliths, exploring a maze of reflection and light. Daily entry to the reopening will be free and from April, visitors will be able to access the grounds during daylight hours.
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Estates director at English Heritage, Rob Woodside, said the “striking local landmark” is an important example of a medieval church in the heart of the city, which has now been made safe for members of the public to “tell this part of Bristol’s story”. He added: “Taking part in Bristol Light Festival is a brilliant start to this, we look forward to the stunning ‘Continuum’ installation casting a new light on the historic space.”
Temple Church takes its name from the Knights Templar who first built a church on the site in the Redcliffe area of central Bristol in the 12th century. Their round church was later replaced with a more spacious rectangular one and it is the remains of this late medieval church, which can be seen standing today - the remarkable survivor of bombing in the Second World War.
Whilst the church’s dramatic leaning tower has continued to be a local landmark, for the past three decades the building has only been able to be enjoyed from the outside due to the fragile nature of the stonework.
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