Monument MPM813 - THE LION GATE

Lion Gate was built in 1777/8 as the main entrance through the Portsea line of fortifications to the district of Portsea. It originally stood at the eastern end of Queen Street (see MPM377). [1, 2] In 1871 Lion Gate was moved from Queen Street and re-erected as an entrance to the Naval Barracks, although it was subsequently taken down a few years later [1]. The gate was then kept in store until 1929 when it was incorporated into the new Semaphore Tower where it forms part of the west (seaward) arch and is known as the Gateway to Empire. The following is inscribed on the elevation which faces the harbour 'THE LION GATEWAY PORTSEA BUILT 1778 INCORPORATED IN THE BUILDING IN THE YEAR 1929.' [2] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Town gate, now naval entrance way. 1778, dismantled C19 and re-erected in present position 1929 (date stone). Ashlar. Central round archway with tripartite keystone and voussoirs aligned to the courses of the rusticated ashlar surround. Flanking paired pilasters with vermiculated bands support cornice and pediment in which is lion couchant bearing flag. To either side a similar pedestrian archway with round window over. On right side of central arch is block inscribed "The lion Gateway Portsea. Built 1778. Incorporated in this building in the year 1929". The present appearance of the entrances owes much to the 1929 rebuilding. The archway was originally erected as one of the town gateways of Portsea (Lloyd). (Source: The Buildings of England: Lloyd D: Hampshire and the Isle of Wight: Harmondsworth: 1985: 410). Selected Sources Books and journals Pevsner, N, The Buildings of England: Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, (1967), 410 [3]