In the centre of Wales' second city, atop a modern shopping centre, sits a statue of Satan. 👹

The cursed figure of 'Old Nick' - The Swansea Devil - a 120 year-old sculpture is, according to legend, directly responsible for the destruction of a city church.

THREAD 👇
In the centre of Wales' second city, atop a modern shopping centre, sits a statue of Satan. The cursed figure of 'Old Nick' - The Swansea Devil - a 120 year-old sculpture is, according to legend, directly responsible for the destruction of a city church.THREAD
In the centre of Wales' second city, atop a modern shopping centre, sits a statue of Satan. The cursed figure of 'Old Nick' - The Swansea Devil - a 120 year-old sculpture is, according to legend, directly responsible for the destruction of a city church.THREAD
The demonic effigy’s story begins at the end of the 19th century, when a decision was made to rebuild St Mary’s church in the city centre.

English architect Sir Arthur Blomfield, whose previous work included London's Royal College of Music, won the contract.
The demonic effigy’s story begins at the end of the 19th century, when a decision was made to rebuild St Mary’s church in the city centre. English architect Sir Arthur Blomfield, whose previous work included London's Royal College of Music, won the contract.
The demonic effigy’s story begins at the end of the 19th century, when a decision was made to rebuild St Mary’s church in the city centre. English architect Sir Arthur Blomfield, whose previous work included London's Royal College of Music, won the contract.
The demonic effigy’s story begins at the end of the 19th century, when a decision was made to rebuild St Mary’s church in the city centre. English architect Sir Arthur Blomfield, whose previous work included London's Royal College of Music, won the contract.
While Blomfield's new church won near-universal acclaim, one local architect was so angry at being overlooked, he planned a terrible revenge.

Snapping up a nearby office building, he immediately demolished it - building a brewery in its place, adorned with a carving of Lucifer.
Unveiling the Swansea Devil, which stared directly at the church, he prophesied:

"My devil will be able to leer and laugh, for at some future time he will see St Mary’s burning to the ground"

In 1941, it happened.

The church, along with swathes of the city, was bombed to hell.
Unveiling the Swansea Devil, which stared directly at the church, he prophesied:"My devil will be able to leer and laugh, for at some future time he will see St Mary’s burning to the ground"In 1941, it happened.The church, along with swathes of the city, was bombed to hell.
Unveiling the Swansea Devil, which stared directly at the church, he prophesied:"My devil will be able to leer and laugh, for at some future time he will see St Mary’s burning to the ground"In 1941, it happened.The church, along with swathes of the city, was bombed to hell.
Unveiling the Swansea Devil, which stared directly at the church, he prophesied:"My devil will be able to leer and laugh, for at some future time he will see St Mary’s burning to the ground"In 1941, it happened.The church, along with swathes of the city, was bombed to hell.
The Luftwaffe's 'Three Days Blitz' campaign obliterated Swansea.

But the building on which the devil stood cut a diabolical silhouette in the smoke, miraculously unscathed.
And Old Nick sat there smiling, his evil eyes fixed on the burning church.

The prediction had come true.
The Luftwaffe's 'Three Days Blitz' campaign obliterated Swansea.But the building on which the devil stood cut a diabolical silhouette in the smoke, miraculously unscathed. And Old Nick sat there smiling, his evil eyes fixed on the burning church.The prediction had come true.
The Luftwaffe's 'Three Days Blitz' campaign obliterated Swansea.But the building on which the devil stood cut a diabolical silhouette in the smoke, miraculously unscathed. And Old Nick sat there smiling, his evil eyes fixed on the burning church.The prediction had come true.
More reading on Old Nick - The Swansea Devil 👉

👹 https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/theres-devil-looking-down-everyone-16025463
🔱 https://loreenforcement.wordpress.com/2017/10/01/the-devil-we-knows/
👺 https://www.swansea.gov.uk/article/50760/What-the-devil-Swanseas-Old-Nick-has-a-new-home
And if you enjoyed that devilish thread…

I’ve compiled a series of threads on some of the many Secrets of Wales, spanning 220 million years 👉 https://twitter.com/i/events/1271423644108034050
Secrets of Wales

https://twitter.com/i/events/1271423644108034050
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