Market Cross

The Market Cross, located in the Market Place of Melbourne, was built in 1889 by James Wright and has undergone alterations in 1953 and restoration in 1977. It is constructed from ashlar and timber and features a hipped plain tile roof. The cross has a large central stone pier with a moulded base and a wooden bench attached around it. Above the pier, there are blind 12th-century style semi-circular headed niches on all sides except the south, which include scalloped capitals, nookshafts, and moulded arches, along with a continuous impost band and hoodmoulds. The west side of the cross displays the inscription 'Erected 1889' within one of the niches, while the north side features an inset brass plaque that notes the monument was erected by public subscription to celebrate Queen Victoria's Jubilee, along with a brief history of Melbourne. The south side has another brass plaque indicating that the timber shelter was erected in 1953 and that both the monument and shelter were restored in 1977. Above the arches, there is a wide moulded cornice, and rising above it is an octagonal stone spire topped with a lamp. A wide timber shelter has been added to the top of the cornice, supported by three large posts on each side.