Description of the attraction
One of the most famous in the world - Piccadilly Street in London - is actually a large transport interchange and includes a square and a street. It is located in the fashionable area of Westminster, until the 17th century it was called "Portugal", and later the street was called Portuguese. Everyone knows the story of the successful entrepreneur Robert Baker and his "piccadilly" collars, by the name of which they began to call his house, Piccadilly Hall, and then the street.
In the center of Piccadilly Circus is the Shaftesbury fountain, decorated with the figure of a boy with a bow. As conceived by the sculptor Arthur Gilbert, it was Anteros - the angel of selfless mature love. But not all Londoners are well acquainted with the heroes of ancient myths and therefore the sculpture is called Eros.
Piccadilly Circus is small, busy with traffic, and was once one of the first in the world to display neon signs. It is noteworthy that advertising lights are turned off only on special occasions, for example, on the day of the death of Winston Churchill and in memory of the death of Princess Diana.
Architectural components of Piccadilly
The main attractions are: the Anteros-Eros fountain, the London Pavilion of 1859, the Criterion Theater built in 1874, the Royal Academy of Arts, the Ritz Hotel, the Fortnum-Mason store and the Church of St. James.
The first London Pavilion was built in 1859 as a music hall. In 1885, in connection with the reconstruction of the square and the laying of Shaftesbury Avenue was demolished, a new one was built in its place and was very popular in its time. Now it serves as a retail space and is part of the Trocadero Center.
Theater Criterion is located in the building with the restaurant of the same name and the old hotel "Polar Bear". The theater was not favored because of the arrangement of the stage on the underground level and the lighting with gas burners. After the electricity was supplied to the building, the theater gained new fans. From 1989 to 1992, the theater was closed for a complete renovation. Currently, it hosts shows and concerts, in its permanent repertoire - "The Bible, The Complete Book of God", "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare", "The Complete History of America", "39 Steps".
The first 40 academicians and President Joshua Reynolds were elected at the Royal Academy of Arts on December 10, 1768. Today the Academy functions as a place for public exhibitions, anyone can apply for participation for the approval of the commission. Exhibition works can be bought. In addition, the Academy has an art museum and an art school.
The most famous and luxurious hotel in Britain is the Ritz on Piccadilly Circus, built in 1906 in a chateau style. The hotel has an impeccable reputation to this day, awarded the Royal Order of Honor for the best service. The hotel was completely reconstructed in 1995, in 2001 the rooms were completely renovated. The hotel hosts traditional English teas and has a casino on the ground floor.
The history of the Fortnum & Mason store begins in 1707 with the sale of candlesticks from the royal palace. Fortnum was the court footman, and Mason was the store owner and grocery supplier for the royal garrison. The store has preserved its own landmark - a clock with bowing figures of Fortnum and Mason. Now this store still supplies food to the royal court, is famous for a variety of tea varieties by weight, delicacies, a bakery, and good chocolate of its own production. In 2008, an apiary was set up on the roof of the store with a special kind of bees that do not sting.
The Church of St. James in Westminster, also known as the Church of St. James in Piccadilly, was built in the 17th century and served as the final resting place of court chamberlains and doctors. During the Second World War, it was badly damaged, but was restored. It is interesting in that concerts are often held in the church itself, and exhibitions around it. Interfaith conferences and other events are held under the auspices of the temple.
On a note
- Location: London, Piccadilly.
- Nearest metro stations: "Piccadilly Circus"
