The Circus is an example of Georgian architecture in the city of Bath, Somerset, England, begun in 1754 and completed in 1774
The Circus is an example of Georgian architecture in the city of Bath, Somerset, England, begun in 1754 and completed in 1768. The name comes from the Latin 'circus', which means a ring, oval or circle. It has been designated as a Grade I listed building. Divided into three segments of equal length, the Circus is a circular space surrounded by large townhouses. Each of the curved segments faces one of the three entrances, ensuring that whichever way a visitor enters there is a classical facade straight ahead. The Circus, originally called King's Circus, was designed by the architect John Wood, the Elder, although he never lived to see his plans put into effect as he died less than three months after the first stone was laid. It was left to his son, John Wood, the Younger to complete the scheme to his father's design. The initial leases for the southwest segment were granted in 1755-67, those for the south east segment in 1762-6, and those for the north segment in 1764–6. Wood's inspiration was the Roman Coliseum, but whereas the Coliseum was designed to be seen from the outside, the Circus faces inwardly. Three classical Orders, (Greek Doric, Roman/Composite and Corinthian) are used, one above the other, in the elegant curved facades. The frieze of the Doric entablature is decorated with alternating triglyphs and 525 pictorial emblems, including serpents, nautical symbols, devices representing the arts and sciences, and Masonic symbols. The parapet is adorned with stone acorn finials. When viewed from the air, the Circus, along with Queens Square and the adjoining Gay Street, form a key shape, which is a Masonic symbol similar to those that adorn many of Wood's buildings. Between 1758 and 1774 number 17 The Circus was home to Thomas Gainsborough and used as his portrait studio. During the Bath Blitz of 25/26 April 1942, one of the retaliatory raids on England Baedeker Blitz following the RAF's raid on Lübeck, a bomb fell into the Circus
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Location: The Circus is an example of Georgian architecture in the city of Bath, Somerset, England
Photo credit: © Rik Hamilton / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
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