Situated on the corner of Brisbane and Campbell Streets in Hobart, Tasmania, the Penitentiary Chapel Historic Site was built in the early 1830's according to the design of Colonial Architect and Civil Engineer John Lee Archer.
Originally designed as a chapel for the growing convict population of Hobart Town, there was also the inclusion of 36 solitary confinement punishment cells, unlit and poorly ventilated, constructed beneath the chapel floor. This chapel served the adjoining Prisoners Barracks which later became the Hobart Gaol.In late 1859 the nave and eastern transept of the chapel were converted into two Supreme Criminal Courts. The western transept remained to become a gaol chapel with an execution yard and gallows attached.
Today the Penitentiary Chapel complex remains a fascinating insight into Colonial Tasmania. A beautiful 1834 tower with the two courtrooms remaining virtually unchanged for over 145 years, and the gaol chapel restored to display John Lee Archer's original design.
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