Minerva's Shrine, Chester

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}}

{{Use British English|date=October 2017}}

{{Infobox Historic Site | name = Minerva's Shrine| native_name = | image = Minerva's Shrine.jpg| image_size = 250| caption = Minerva's Shrine| locmapin = Cheshire| map_width = 250| map_caption = Location in Cheshire| alt =

| coordinates = {{coord|53.1843|-2.8893|display=inline,title}}

| location = Edgar's Field, Handbridge, Chester, England| gbgridref = SJ 406 656| area = | elevation = | formed = | founded = | built = 2nd century| built_for = | demolished = | rebuilt = | restored = | restored_by = | architect = | architecture = | visitation_num = | visitation_year = | governing_body = | designation1 = Grade I| designation1_offname = | designation1_type = | designation1_criteria = | designation1_date = 28 July 1955| delisted1_date = | designation1_parent = | designation1_number = 1375783| designation1_free1name = | designation1_free1value = | designation1_free2name = | designation1_free2value = | designation1_free3name = | designation1_free3value = | designation2 = | designation2_offname = | designation2_type = | designation2_criteria = | designation2_date = | delisted2_date = | designation2_parent = | designation2_number = | designation2_free1name = | designation2_free1value = | designation2_free2name = | designation2_free2value = | designation2_free3name = | designation2_free3value = }}

Minerva's Shrine is a shrine to the Roman goddess Minerva in Edgar's Field, Handbridge, Chester, England. It is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building.{{NHLE |num= 1375783|desc= Roman shrine to Minerva, Chester|accessdate= 29 July 2012|mode=cs2}} The shrine dates from the early 2nd century and is carved into the face of a sandstone quarry. It is the only monument of its kind in Western Europe that remains in its original location.{{citation |url=http://www.chester.gov.uk/tourism_and_leisure/heritage_trails/discover_edgars_field/minerva_shrine.aspx |title=Minerva's Shrine |access-date=3 September 2007 |publisher=Chester City Council |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927213557/http://www.chester.gov.uk/tourism_and_leisure/heritage_trails/discover_edgars_field/minerva_shrine.aspx |archive-date = 27 September 2007}} It is protected by a 19th-century stone surround with a hood, which was refurbished in the late 20th century. The carving has weathered over the centuries and has also been damaged by human activity. Next to the shrine is an opening into the rock face which is possibly a natural fissure that has been enlarged and which is known as Edgar's Cave.

The shrine stands beside the route of the old main Roman road into the fortress of Deva from the south. Minerva was the Roman goddess of war, knowledge, and craftsmanship. She is often depicted with her attributes of helmet, shield, breastplate, and spear, but in this instance she is shown in a simplified form, standing in a representation of a temple.{{Citation |editor1-last= Langtree|editor1-first= Stephen|editor2-last= Comyns|editor2-first= Alan| year = 2001| title = 2000 Years of Building: Chester's Architectural Legacy| publication-place = Chester| publisher = Chester Civic Trust| page = 29| isbn = 0-9540152-0-7}} The Roman quarry, together with Edgar's Field and the image of Minerva, is a Scheduled Monument.{{NHLE |num= 1014718|desc= Roman quarry including Edgar's Cave and the rock-cut figure of Minerva on Edgar's Field, 150m south west of Dee Bridge|accessdate= 30 October 2011|mode=cs2|fewer-links=x}}

A cast of the shrine is kept in the Grosvenor Museum, in Chester.