View from the precinct of the Albert MemorialDedicated to Queen Victoria's husband and consort, this performance hall is directly across from the Albert Memorial in Kensington Park and is part of the so-called "Albertopolis," a cultural district in South Kensington, which includes among other buildings, the Natural History Museum by Alfred Waterhouse and the Victoria and Albert Museum. |
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The hall is oval (or elliptical) with the larger exterior diameter at 272 feet. It is influenced by ancient amphitheaters, like the Colosseum in Rome. It may have seated as many as 9000 people but today its capacity is set at 7000. | ||
Left: the front entrance; center and right: side entrances | ||
The glass and iron domeThis dome roofing the structure is 135 feet high. Although the Crystal Palace (destroyed) and King's Cross Station predate it, it is still an impressive example of metal and glazing. |
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The facade is brick with terra cotta decoration. The terra cotta frieze, running the entire circumference, depicts "The Triumph of the Arts and Sciences." | ||
Details of the frieze | ||
Details of the frieze |
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