Mono Monday Landmark

The familiar local landmark of St Bernard’s Well is almost obscured by the trees and bushes from this viewpoint at the top of Upper Dean Terrace. Once the leaves emerge, only the golden pineapple on the top will be visible.

The ornate structure which contains a statue of the Greek goddess, Hygeia, was designed in 1789 by the Scottish painter, Alexander Nasmyth and sits on a natural spring with supposed healing powers. The well was closed in the 1940s, however, because the water contained arsenic and other impurities! The monument was restored to its former glory a few years ago.

A more familiar view of the well, from the path on the other side of the river is in the extra.