By Dawn Alethea Lowe En 24J09
Victoria and Albert Museum viewed from the John Madejski Garden, Victoria and Albert Museum
Take time, be in awe of the beauty around you.
Pt. 2 London: pretty arches and striking colours
Hi! Welcome back to the UK. Moving past York, London has many beautiful pieces of architecture and various museums.
We’ve just arrived in London…
a scenic walk around London
Stepping out of King’s Cross Station, I look across the street and see an elegant towering building; St. Pancras Station. St. Pancras is a masterpiece of Victorian Gothic Architecture, with curves and stripes adorning its striking red and blue exterior.
The tall tower
Front of St. Pancras Station
The first place I visited was Borough Market, which was completely different from the markets we have here in Singapore. Borough Market consists of a food section and a market section, both of which were absolutely swarmed with people—like once-you’re-in-there’s-no-way-out crowded. Unfortunately, this meant I didn’t really get the opportunity to snap any pictures, but here’s one I found on the internet that captures the vibe as best as possible.
Mind you, it was much more crowded when I was there, probably because it was a Saturday morning. But… look at the beautiful glass ceiling and the gorgeous green veins running through them…
When I was reading up more on Borough Market for this article, I learned a lot more about its rich history compared to the bits and pieces I’d been previously given. I’m no historian or Londoner, so my description wouldn’t do it justice. (i.e. if you’re interested, you might want to read this short-ish article on it. 😉 https://boroughmarket.org.uk/market-blog/borough-market-began-with-a-bridge/ It’s a pretty fascinating intro) but I will say that what stood out to me the most was how Borough Market was adapted to suit the needs of the people, allowing it to continue to be relevant, even sought after, up to today. I think it’s a shining example of how pieces of history can be interwoven into today’s society.
The faded sign is one of the many “ghost signs” littered around London and the Market, reminiscent of its past as a wholesale market. Unfortunately, despite much research, I am still unable to identify the purpose of the wooden pallet at the window…
Continuing my tour around London, I passed by many other famous architectures. Enjoy the slideshow of them…
Westminster Bridge, St. Paul’s dome in the background.
Shakespeare’s Globe, along the River Thames
St. Paul’s Cathedral from Millennium Bridge
and again, past the bridge
The Cathedral in all its majesty
on the way to Hyde Park, there was a cafe in that tiny space
Stepping out of Westminster Station, it’s not very clear in the photo but Parliament Square (the buildings) were strikingly golden, with their sharp spires—gothic
Big Ben, crowned with royal blue and gold.
random pretty tiles in an arch
Fairytale-like blue bell lamps in Hyde Park near Buckingham Palace, and… I wonder when those horses will come out.
Of course, I can’t talk about appreciating history without mentioning London’s museums, and their architecture is oftentimes as breathtaking as the art they house.
Museums, you’re my muse
Firstly, the Victoria and Albert Museum, which was renamed by the monarch in honour of Prince Albert. Its intricate layered arches and messages expertly woven into the carvings might just be my favourite part…
It amazes me how many borders and patterns they can think of
see the golden message yet?
There are many—and I mean many—exhibits in the V&A, and I got to admire one of the Rafael Cartoons, on loan from the palace. The cartoons are design drawings for tapestries (which were then used to be copied into weavings), not animated shows, and it’s pretty cool how the meaning of a word can change so much. Cartoon comes from the Italian word cartone, meaning ‘big paper’, hence why the massive paintings on paper were called that. The tapestries were commissioned for the Sistine Chapel, hence why Rome’s leading artist at the time, Raphael, was asked to produce the paintings. The original ten depicted various biblical scenes, though only seven have survived.
a tapestry…
and its original painting
Beyond the exhibits, the museum’s central refreshment room is the statement piece, so extravagant and colourful it’s like its own universe.
Like look at the contrast between the whiteness of the outside and the magnificence of the inside!!! —Renaissance style
There was even a piano in the centre of the room, so classy… Also, if you did a 360 of the room, a message is spelt across the circular room; do you see the words?
More of the otherworldly chandeliers…
yes, this photo is obviously edited to emphasise the intricacy and colour of the room, and it was practically made to be my phone wallpaper 😌😌
Stepping out of the cafe space is the John Madejski Garden - a circular shallow pool in the centre, surrounded by gorgeous red buildings.
here’s my favourite view of them, the glinting artwork at the top is a depiction of Queen Victoria and various other important figures, bordered by yet more writing
And here’s a clearer picture of the intricacies of the architecture
Next stop, the Natural History Museum — famous set of Night at the Museum.
The facade of the museum reminds me of Egyptian architecture, with its colour scheme and sceptre-like window arches. And make no mistake, it looks just as gargantuan on the inside.
look at the unnecessary number of columns! And their geometric patterns… the sandy golden colour and marbly blue is more obvious here
The sceptre-like windows
The vastness of the museum, and that blue whale skeleton
Spot the cheeky monkeys climbing the arches? Even the ceiling panels were botanical paintings!
Well, we’re coming to the end of our journey now. I hope you’ve enjoyed slowing down your pace and taking in the tiny details. I must go now, but remember to take this gift with you wherever you go… Look around you, really look, and appreciate every story, every curve, and every ridge. You might just see what you’ve seen a billion times before in a whole new light.
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