Newcastle Keep & Black Gate

Continuing the thread of my last post, I happened to be visiting Newcastle earlier today to see the Virtuoso Jazz Trio at the Lit & Phil, and being in the vicinity of Castle Garth I took the opportunity to capture my own photos of this historic part of the city.

The Black Gate built between 1247 and 1250, was once the main gateway into the castle itself. The original castle was founded in 1080 by Robert Curthose, the eldest son of William the Conqueror and Matilda of Flanders. 












The building itself is currently undergoing re-development to merge it as a tourist attraction with the adjacent Castle Keep.
















Walkways have been constructed which will enable visitors to pass between the two buildings while examining the remains of the castle walls.

This photo shows the Black Gate with the Cathedral of St Nicholas behind. A very similar shot to that posted yesterday. Dog Leap Stairs are just to the right of where this photo was taken.









So here are two shots of Dog Leap Stairs, one looking down towards the quayside..... 
















and one looking back up towards the castle.












The keep of the castle was built between 1168 and 1178 by Henry II. Yes the very same King Henry that was responsible in 1170 for the murder of Thomas Becket before the altar of Canterbury Cathedral.








Of course visitors to Newcastle by rail can get a good close up view of the impressive keep as the mainline East Coast service runs directly past.