Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton Gardens, Victoria, Australia

img_0.5447845695351071.jpg

There is something quite grand about old buildings and in Australia other than your old log cabin hut or blue stone church this is pretty much as old as it gets in relation to government buildings.

The Royal Exhibition Building was built in 1880 not that long ago but Australia is only 220 years old as a western nation. Prior to that it was home to the indigenous population. It's quite a historical significant building.

img_0.8167118861217686.jpg

Located in the beautiful Carlton Gardens in the former CBD centre the building was designed and built by the architect Joseph Reed. He went onto design the Melbourne Town Hall and State Library of Victoria. The building is a unique style and one of Reed's most famous which has been world heritage listed and Australia's first building to be listed on the UNESCO register in 2004.

img_0.16557281322263803.jpg

The style used is eclectic and comprises many influences from Italian, Byzantine, Romanesque, Lombardic renaissance styles. It has further architectural features with the dome itself being modelled from the Florence Cathedral.

img_0.45762584777645926.jpg

The columns and pavilions were inspired by the Rundbogrnstil architecture style with Nomrandy and France being significant influences on the development of the Royal Exhibition Building.

img_0.1683738735181388.jpg

The building has the same scale as as Beaux Arts in France which has a cruciform plan in the shape of the Latin cross and symmetrical east west wings and a shorter building to the north which is the current grand hall and is still in immaculate condition having being restored in the 1990s.

img_0.39046698715582984.jpg

At the front of the building is the Exhibition Foutain which used Portland cement in the construction and designed by Josef Hochgurtel a Cologne man who recently arrived to Melbourne and wanted to settle down and have a life for himself.

Standing at 10 meters tall and with a diameter of 1400cm it is not small fountain but takes pride of place at the entry of the building. The base contains half men and 3 boys one fishing, one scooping water and the other excited at seeing a turtle.

The 2nd tier has 4 boys representing commerce, science, art and industry. The tier above depicts native birds and plants to Victoria and finally the top tier houses a boy with a basket on his head filled with fish.

img_0.7217606925603991.jpg

Originally designed and built for the 1880 international exhibition it was the first building in the world to host electrical works allowing lights to be used during the night and extend exhibition hours. It was a global hit and made headlines across the world.

In 1901 the building was used as the first parliament house at the establishment of the Australian parliament and federation (yes only 120 years of federation prior to that we were an English prison)

The Royal Exhibition Building was not always named so and wasn't until a visit from Princess Alexandra and a plaque unveiling the bestowed title of Royal on behalf of her Majesty the Queen.

img_0.734733596707154.jpg

Today the grounds are the location of the Melbourne Museum which is a newer section that was built from the demolition of an older section of the building. It is part of the museum and people are able to walk the halls and see the beautiful building in all its glory.

It is still currently used for exhibitions and each year people travel the globe to attend events held at such an iconic building.

The Australian government is investing $20million to further develop and restore the building ensuring its survival throughout Australian history.

A beautiful building in the centre of Melbourne that you must visit to truly appreciate its beauty.

I hope you enjoyed my post and I look forward to seeing posts from other users. Have a wonderful day!

img_0.4639021811960151.jpg



0
0
0.000
14 comments
avatar

Congratulations @melbourneswest! You have completed the following achievement on the Hive blockchain and have been rewarded with new badge(s) :

You have been a buzzy bee and published a post every day of the week

You can view your badges on your board and compare yourself to others in the Ranking
If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word STOP

To support your work, I also upvoted your post!

Check out the last post from @hivebuzz:

Hive Tour Update - Governance
Support the HiveBuzz project. Vote for our proposal!
0
0
0.000
avatar

I love to see this kind of posts. Thanks for your story, and photo's, of this wonderful place. It's an interesting thought ... and once again a reminder that Australia has a lot of history, but not as much as a Western Nation. 220 years is not that much if compared to Italy for example.

I hope that there is a lot of history saved from the Indigenous population too.

0
0
0.000
avatar

My heritage is Italian/ Australian Indigenous quite cool those two came up together :)

More recently then not has Indigenous culture started to enter mainstream but it is still a challenging environment and many are attempting to prevent its re emergence.

We will get there one day

0
0
0.000
avatar

There's truly something interesting with the eclectic architectural style and I think the Royal Exhibition Building has exhibited the said details in all its majestic glory. Taking inspiration from various design styles and combining them into a single masterpiece is certainly not an easy feat.

Originally designed and built for the 1880 international exhibition it was the first building in the world to host electrical works allowing lights to be used during the night and extend exhibition hours.

Now, this is indeed a remarkable fact that makes us simply proud of its heritage. Thanks a lot, @melbourneswest for sharing this treasure of architecture!

0
0
0.000
avatar

You're very welcome, I only learned that fact researching the building. There is alot more too it too like alot of it was demolished and replaced. So sad. The central point is a big open area Similar to the one in France that it was modelled off.

Some people will destroy anything for no real good reason, this building is beautiful. I think I'll have to book a tour and snap some images from inside to share.

0
0
0.000
avatar

Thank you for your engagement on this post, you have recieved ENGAGE tokens.

0
0
0.000
avatar

Wow! the domes, the arches , triangular pediment and huge columns are really fascinating and specially the fountain, the detailing is wonderful. The pictures are pretty clear and with goof perspective.
Hope you have a lovely week:)

0
0
0.000
avatar

Thank you, I really enjoyed photographing this beautiful piece or architecture and design.

A beautiful building.

0
0
0.000
avatar

For a building constructed in 1880, it looks well preserved and well maintained. You have captured all of the details beautifully!

0
0
0.000
avatar

Thank you, yes it got a work over in the 90s and has received further funding to renovate and restore more of the building. It's UNESCO World heritage listing ensures it is maintained and a priority for our governments.

0
0
0.000
avatar

Okay, That's actually Royal! I am noting down this place to my to do list for the visit to Melbourne, Let this pandemic get over I shall travel here soon. The story behind the name as it came from the queen's visit is interesting. The pictures are ravishing!
Keep flourishing @melbournewest :)

0
0
0.000