King's Cellar
The King's Cellar is a former storage building in the Scottish village of Limekilns in the Council Area Fife . In 1971, the building was included as an individual monument in the Scottish list of monuments in the highest monument category A.
history
In the Middle Ages , Limekilns served as the seaport for the inland Dunfermline Abbey . The monks maintained a storage building on the site from 1362, which was presumably mainly used as a granary for maritime trade. In the early to mid-16th century, the warehouse was rebuilt, from which today's King's Cellar emerged. Fragments of the previous structure may have been integrated. The misleading designation "King's Cellar" is only documented from the 19th century. Over the centuries, the building probably served a variety of purposes. A now useless spiral staircase on the upper floor indicates a higher building. It is possible that a watchtower once sat at this point. Since there is no stairway between the two floors of the storage facility, it seems logical that there was once another external staircase. The former entrance door on the ground floor is now hidden below the ground due to the lowering of the building.
The King's Cellar has served a variety of purposes over the years. It was used as a warehouse, wine cellar, school building, library, event hall and church. From 1910 it served as a temple for the newly founded local Masonic Lodge .
description
The King's Cellar is at the head of a short dead-end street off Main Street in the west of Limekilns. Its masonry consists of rubble from sandstone , which was roughly hewn into large blocks. A front staircase leads to the crowned entrance door on the upper floor. The crowning shows a coat of arms as well as the year 1581. On the left of the stairs you can see fragments of the former ogival entrance door. Inside there is a simple room on each floor. The ceiling is a pointed arch vault decorated. Three skylights were later let into the slate-covered gable roof on the north side.
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d Listed Building - Entry . In: Historic Scotland .
Web links
- Entry on King's Cellar in Canmore, Historic Environment Scotland's database
Coordinates: 56 ° 2 ′ 5.8 " N , 3 ° 29 ′ 2.1" W.