A symbolic work of art has been installed at the Roman Baths to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Bath becoming a World Heritage Site.
The Council enlisted local firm Ironart of Bath to produce the impressive large-scale steel sculpture, which is made in the shape of the World Heritage Symbol.
Stephen Bird, who commissioned the work as the Council’s Head of Heritage Services, said: “The Ironart team has done a fantastic job. The idea came to me when I saw a similarly huge representation of the World Heritage Symbol prominently exhibited at the Terracotta Army visitor centre in China.
“The Roman Baths is at the heart of our World Heritage Site and ‘Roman Archaeology’ is one of its Outstanding Universal Values. Bath & North East Somerset Council is helping to commemorate 25 years of Bath maintaining the prestigious status with this magnificent symbol. The structure can be moved so it could also be put on display at World Heritage celebration events which will also serve as a testimony of this important accolade for generations to come.”
It took three members of the Ironart team to painstakingly lift the steel structure into place high above the entrance desk at the Roman Baths.
Andy Thearle, owner of Ironart of Bath, said: “We were delighted to be asked to make this prestigious piece, which was an unusual metalwork commission for the Ironart team. It was made from 2.5mm-thick sheet steel which had been plasma cut to shape using a wooden mock-up of the finished article. We constructed it as a hollow box section and it was finished in our spray shop with a satin gold paint before being carefully transported to site by the Ironart team.
“We’re tremendously proud that the brand new World Heritage Symbol is located high up in the entrance to the Roman Baths in the centre of Bath – you really cannot miss it!”
UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) added Bath as a cultural site to its World Heritage List in 1987. For more information visit http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/worldheritagesite.
