It is hoped that St Bernards Well, on the Water of Leith between Dean Village and Stockbridge will be the final part of the Twelve Monuments Project. A joint initiative between Edinburgh World Heritage and the City of Edinburgh, which has restored many of the city’s most important monuments and statues.
St Bernard’s Well was the idea of the eccentric judge Lord Gardenstone, who commissioned Alexander Nasymth in 1789 to design a new well house for the natural spring. The design was inspired by the Roman Temple of Vesta at Tivoli in Italy, complete with a statue to Hygeia the goddess of health.
The total costs of the project were estimated to be £232,839, which after contributions from EWH and the City of Edinburgh Council left around £50,000 to be raised in donations. With £45,000 already raised and much of the work completed, a further £8,000 is needed to finish the project.
Cllr Richard Lewis said: “The Twelve Monuments Project owes much of its success to close working between the Council and Edinburgh World Heritage over the past three years, but also to kind donations from members of the public, demonstrating the value that people place on Edinburgh’s cultural heritage.
“By restoring this unusual and quite beautiful well, we will be preserving a significant Edinburgh landmark for future generations – just as we have with eleven others before it.”
Adam Wilkinson, Director of Edinburgh World Heritage, added: “St Bernard’s Well has to be one of Edinburgh’s most picturesque and tranquil locations, an elegant classical temple in a charming bucolic setting only minutes from Princes Street.”
“We hope that people will come forward now to help us restore this important part of Edinburgh’s heritage for future generations to enjoy.”
Edinburgh World Heritage is a charity funded by charitable donations, the City of Edinburgh Council and Historic Scotland, with the role of protecting, conserving and promoting the World Heritage Site.
Edinburgh World Heritage
5 Bakehouse Close
146 Canongate EH8 8DD
e. info@ewht.org.uk
t. 0131 220 7720
Registered in Scotland No.195077.
Scottish charity No. SC037183
