Nearly sixty years after a photograph captured Newcastle's most historic quarter in 1965, a new image of the same location reveals that change has been minimal, with the ancient stonework of the Castle Keep and the Black Gate still dominating the scene.
The original photograph, taken in 1965, shows a quiet, peaceful mood in Amen Corner, a location whose name derives from religious practice, where processions of clergy from nearby St Nicholas' Cathedral (now branded as Newcastle Cathedral) would routinely end their prayers. The parked cars in the image are typical mid-1960s models, including a Triumph Herald, a Mini, and a Jaguar, resting on the street's now-vanished cobbles.
Historic Buildings in the Frame
In the background on the left of the 1965 photograph stands St Nicholas Chambers, a 19th-century building originally laid out as offices above ground-floor shops. The building, listed for its architectural interest, formed part of the Victorian redevelopment around St Nicholas' Cathedral, helping reshape the medieval streets into a more modern commercial quarter.
On the right, the rear of Doric House is visible. This long-gone Newcastle construction was a popular tobacco store and later a watch repairer during the middle decades of the last century. Built in the "severely plain but refined style of the ancient Greeks" and made of "marble chips set in fine cement", as the Chronicle noted, it began life in 1922 and was demolished in 1966, a year after the photograph was taken.
The Castle Keep and Black Gate
Beyond Doric House, the scene is dominated by the Castle Keep, the fortress that gave the city its name. The New Castle dates back to 1080 when it was founded by Robert Curthose, eldest son of William the Conqueror. A century later, between 1168 and 1178, the original wooden motte and bailey structure was rebuilt in stone by King Henry I.
Just below it sits the Black Gate, the castle's barbican. Built between 1247 and 1250 during the reign of King Henry III, it was the last addition to the medieval castle defences. Over time, both fell into major disrepair and were threatened with demolition.
Restoration and Continuity
Now fully restored and a major heritage attraction, the Castle Keep and the Black Gate were reunited and jointly branded as Newcastle Castle in 2015. Six decades later, while much of the city and the wider world have undergone major transformation, this historic corner of Newcastle - aside from cosmetic changes - remains relatively unchanged.
