Chester High Cross

Chester High Cross is a cross with origins dating back to the 14th century, though much of it is modern. It is made of red sandstone and features a hexagonal crown set on three steps, a plinth, and a shaft, all of which are octagonal. The steps, plinth, and shaft are modern, while the crown is from the 14th century, and the moulded base of the shaft is likely medieval. The crown is significantly weathered and topped with a more recent tapered finial that has a ball on top. Each side of the crown originally had a niche, but two of these have weathered away and once held statues. The cross was likely demolished after Chester surrendered to the Parliamentarians in 1646. Fragments of it were discovered in the early 19th century and were placed near the Newgate in 1949, with the cross being restored to its original location in 1975.