As part of the Heritage Lottery Funded Restoration Project, the damaged stone work of the wall will be carefully cleaned, repaired and conserved.
The striking animal statues perching on the Castle Street wall peering down on passers by below are unique to Cardiff and have become a major landmark within the city.
There are 15 different sculptured animals, nine of which are original from the 1890s, and six of which were commissioned in 1922.
During the repair, the anteater’s missing nose will be replaced as well as the missing glass eyes in the nine original animals. Additionally, graffiti will be cleaned off the back of the wall and contemporary cement mortar will be cut out and replaced with a traditional lime mortar.
A short section of the park wall adjacent to Cardiff Bridge will also be lowered by half a metre during the works to introduce views into the park and over the boat stage.
The work is being carried out as part of the £5.6m Bute Park Restoration project, which is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Cadw, the Welsh Assembly Government’s historic environment service, and is due for completion by October 2010.
In 1866, William Burges designed the Animal Wall for the third Marquess of Bute, following his death the wall was carried through to completion by his former assistant; architect William Frame, in the early 1890s. The original animals were carved by Thomas Nicholls and painted in Naturalistic colours. However, there is no plan to re-paint the original animals.
Originally the wall was located in front of the Castle but in 1922 Duke Street was widened and the wall was moved to its current position. Six new animals were commissioned at this time and stylistically they are different and do not have the glass eyes of the originals.
The wall has been cleaned and undergone minor repairs over the years, but problems have been caused by the use of inappropriate mortars. There has been continued deterioration of the stone work with time and a build up of grime from the adjacent road and overhanging trees. This work seeks to improve the condition of the wall and conserve the landmark for future generations.
Councillor Nigel Howells, Executive member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, said: “The historic Animal Wall is unique to Cardiff and attracts thousands of visitors and tourists to the city each year. I’m delighted that the project will allow the much loved landmark to be restored and I’m pleased that Cardiff Council is supported by both the Heritage Lottery Fund and Cadw on this scheme. This is just one of the many improvements to the park ongoing during the Bute Park Restoration Project.”
Jennifer Stewart, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund in Wales, said: “Returning the Animal Wall to its former glory is an important development in the Bute Park Restoration Project. Dating back to the 19th Century, the Animal Wall is a unique and much-loved feature by local people and is a key tourist attraction. This special element of Cardiff’s heritage will now be saved for the future and I can’t wait to revisit the Wall once restoration work is complete.”
Alun Ffred Jones, Minister for Heritage, said: “I am delighted to offer a grant of £63,000 towards repairing this famous Cardiff landmark. The project will ensure that both those living in our capital city and the thousands of tourists, we welcome every year will continue to enjoy this charming wall and its animal residents.”
