Bristol in the New Millennium

© David Hoey 2002

A view of the Saint Bartholomew Arch at the bottom of Christmas Steps and to the right of the Pelligrino City Fried Fish and Chipped Potato Bar shown in the fifth gallery of this section. Above the arch is supported a cantilevered floor over the pavement, as was often the architectural practice with half-timbered buildings in Mediaeval times. This once was originally the porter’s lodge to the 13^th century Hospital of Saint Bartholomew, built to cater for the needs of retired mariners. In the wooden lintel above the arch is inscribed the name of this saint, though it is not easily discerned in this view. Inside the arch is a well preserved passageway into the remains of the Hospital, of which only the floor and bases of the columns survive. Within this hospital, in 1532, was founded the Bristol Grammar School, which now flourishes near to the University. These days, the Hospital floor serves as a quiet internal courtyard for the surrounding modern offices hidden behind this façade.