Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Hercules Statue
Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd, Wales
A Grade II listed building in Portmeirion, Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd, designated on 14 January 1971.
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II
- Broad class
- Commemorative
- Date of designation
- 14 January 1971
- Locality
- Portmeirion
- Community
- Penrhyndeudraeth
- Unitary authority
- Gwynedd
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 52.91322, -4.09922
- Cadw reference
- 4890
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesLlyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of WalesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
5 historical maps cover this location, the earliest the 1795 map "To Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn Bart ... the map of the six counties of North Wales is most humbly inscribed by his obedient humble servant" (Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of Wales).
Historical maps covering this location
- 1795 · To Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn Bart ... the map of the six counties of North Wales is most… (Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of Wales)
- 1830 · V.3:11-15:XV. Britisches Reich. A. Kon: England. b. Frstenthum Wales: Shire: 37-40 (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1883 · Watershed map England, Wales 3. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1896 · Sheet 7. Ordnance Survey of England and Wales. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1901 · Sheet 9 and 10. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
Cadw's description
Location
Opposite the Town Hall and Hercules Gates, at the top of the Hercules Steps.
History
Portmeirion was designed and laid out by the celebrated architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis (1883-1978) following his purchase of the estate, then called Aber Iâ, in 1926. The village evolved over several decades and was still being added to in the 1970s.
Bronze statue of Hercules by William Brodie (1815-1881), cast c1863. Erected in this location in 1960.
Exterior
Life-sized bronze statue of Hercules carrying the globe; on a tall, 2-stage rendered pedestal. A plaque is affixed dedicated "to the summer of 1959, in honour of its splendour"; other plaques to 1971,73 and 75.
Reason for designation
Listed as one of a number of buildings and structures designed or erected by the eminent architect and conservationist Sir Clough Williams-Ellis for his visionary Portmeirion villiage.
Group value with other listed items at Portmeirion.
Nearby in the register
- Bandstand and Adjoining Flight of Descending Steps (the Hercules Steps)Miscellaneousunder 1 mi
- AstrolabeGardens, Parks and Urban Spacesunder 1 mi
- AngelCommercialunder 1 mi
- MermaidDomesticunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.