Picto Diary - 17 September 2019 - Liverpool
Above: Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral. Liverpool, England. 17 September 2019.
Out and about in Liverpool.
The sublime (Catholic).
TIMDT on steps.
Original site purchased in 1930. Sir Edward Lutyens designed what was going to be 2nd largest cathedral in the world, with a dome larger than St. Peter's in Rome. Crypt was completed, but due to WWII and German bombing of Liverpool, work stopped.
Post war, Lutyens design was scrapped.
In 1953, Adrien Gilbert Scott, brother of Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, architect of the Anglican Liverpool Cathedral, at the other end of tony Hope Street, was charged with resuming a new cathedral effort atop Lutyens' crypt. This effort failed.
The present Cathedral was designed by Sir Frederick Gibberd (1908–84). Construction began in October 1962 and less than five years later, on the Feast of Pentecost14 May 1967, the completed cathedral was consecrated.
The cathedral was built on the cheap. Leaks were prolific through outer coating of mosaics. In 1992 leaks were repaired by removing outer mosaics and substituting glass reinforced plastic.
Still, the modern design is eye catching both inside and out. The cathedral reminds of another ultra modern cathedral we saw ten months ago, St. Paul's Cathedral, Abidjan, Cote D'Ivoire.
NOTE: I visited Liverpool in 2015 after motorcycling there from Bournmouth. I and friends and motorcycles boarded a ferry in Liverpool which took us to the Isle of Man to attend the TT motorcycle races.
Above: Philharmonic Dining Room urinals. Liverpool, England. 17 September 2019.
Out and about in Liverpool.
The profane.
Every tour must include a bit of the offbeat, right? The Philharmonic Dining Room is on Hope Street half way between the two cathedrals. I had a coffee to make sure I had a legitimate cover to visit this well advertised Liverpool attraction.
Above: Stained glass windows. Liverpool Cathedral. Liverpool, England. 17 September 2019.
Out and about in Liverpool.
The sublime (Anglican).
Based on design by 22 year old Giles Gilbert Scott submitted in 1902. Constructed between 1904 and 1978.
Linked to Metropolitan Cathedral (Catholic) by Hope Street. Appropriate metaphor. Half way between is the Philharmonic Pub and its fancy urinals.
Above: Empire Theater. Liverpool, England. 17 September 2019.
Out and about in Liverpool.
The profane.
Last Liverpool performance of Beatles here 05 December 1965.
https://ultimateclassicrock.com/beatles-liverpool-last-concert/
Above. Beatles statue. Liverpool, England. 17 September 2019.
Out and about in Liverpool.
The profane .
An iconic statue of the Fab Four, in their hometown. The Beatles Statue arrived on Liverpool's Waterfront in December 2015. Donated by the famous Cavern Club, the placement of the statue coincides with the 50 year anniversary of the band's last gig played in Liverpool, at the Liverpool Empire Theatre. The figures are larger than life size and weigh 1.2 tons in total. They were sculpted by Andrew Edwards.
Above: Sunset. Irish Sea. 17 September 2019.
Image from Observation Lounge. Seabourn Ovation cruise liner.