Latitude: 52.9136 / 52°54'48"N
Longitude: -4.0991 / 4°5'56"W
OS Eastings: 258951
OS Northings: 337192
OS Grid: SH589371
Mapcode National: GBR 5R.NDRL
Mapcode Global: WH55T.01B6
Plus Code: 9C4QWW72+C9
Entry Name: Central Piazza
Listing Date: 14 January 1971
Last Amended: 23 August 2002
Grade: II
Source: Cadw
Source ID: 4885
Building Class: Gardens, Parks and Urban Spaces
ID on this website: 300004885
Location: In the centre of the village and forming its focus.
County: Gwynedd
Community: Penrhyndeudraeth
Community: Penrhyndeudraeth
Locality: Portmeirion
Traditional County: Merionethshire
Tagged with: Architectural structure
Portmeirion was designed and laid out by the celebrated architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis (1883-1978) following his purchase of the estate, then called Aber IĆ¢, in 1926. The village evolved over several decades and was still being added to in the 1970s.
The Central Piazza was laid out in 1965, replacing a tennis court from the 1930s; Clough Williams-Ellis had already drawn up plans for `The Piazza' in 1925, though they remained unexecuted, and were extensively revised in 1963. The oriental figures were used for the filming of "The Inn of the Sixth Happiness" as also the statue of Buddha (qv). originating in Siam. The fountain was brought from Venice.
The Central Piazza occupies the main flat area in the centre of the village and consists of a formal fountain basin set within a raised and revetted terrace; this is approached by a shallow flight of cobbled steps from the lower level in front of the Gothick Pavilion (to the S). These steps are flanked by 2 urns and a balustrade, with tall Ionic columns at each end. The columns are topped by gilded oriental dancing figures. The fountain basin is rectangular with apsidal ends and has low copings; at the southern end is a circular stone fountain on a circular plinth. Raised flower beds surround the fountain basin.
Listed for its significance as the main village square and fountain; one of a number of buildings and structures designed by the eminent architect and conservationist Sir Clough Williams-Ellis for his visionary Portmeirion villiage.
Group value with other listed items at Portmeirion.
External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.
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