点评:The Queen Victoria Building (QVB) was built in 1898 and designed by 28-year old architect, George McRae, replacing the original Sydney markets on the site. Built as a monument to the long reigning monarch, construction took place during a severe recession. How? The elaborate Romanesque architecture was specially planned for the grand building so the Government could employ many out-of-work craftsmen - stonemasons, plasterers, and stained window artists - in a worthwhile project.
The Stained Glass
The visual message of Sydney's coat of arms on the cartwheel stained glass window, is that the beehive depicts business, the sailing ship - trade, and the dolphins - the harbor. Panel 1 (on the left-hand side) represents the Council of the City of Sydney and symbols of architecture, while the letters I.G.B., on panel 3 (on the right), represent Ipoh Gardens Berhad, the Malaysian company who restored the QVB in 2009.
The symbols are of property developers - the builders. The bottom central panel represents the heraldic symbol of a finished building, and the joining of two hands denotes the fusing of two cultures.
The Queen’s Secret Letter
There is a letter from Queen Elizabeth II to the Citizens of Sydney, to be opened and read by the Lord Mayor of Sydney in the year 2085.
The Queen Victoria Statue
Outside the QVB, on Town Hall Place, facing The Town Hall are the Royal Wishing Well and Queen Victoria's statue.
Our experience: This is my second time visiting the building and I'm still finding hidden historical aspects of it. It's such a beautiful place to walk through, perhaps grab a coffee or tea, and take it all in!
翻译:维多利亚女王大厦(QVB)建于1898年,由当时年仅28岁的建筑师乔治·麦克雷设计,取代了原址上的悉尼市场。这座建筑是为纪念在位时间漫长的维多利亚女王而建,其建造时期正值经济严重衰退阶段。那么,它是如何建成的呢?由于采用了极为复杂的罗马式建筑风格,政府得以借此大型工程项目雇佣大量失业的工匠——石匠、抹灰工人以及彩窗艺术家。彩绘玻璃
在这个轮状结构的彩绘玻璃窗上,悉尼市徽所传递的视觉信息为:蜂巢象征商业,帆船象征贸易,而海豚则象征港口。第1块玻璃(左侧)描绘的是悉尼市议会以及建筑领域的各种符号;第3块玻璃(右侧)上的“I.G.B.”字母则代表怡保花园有限公司——这家马来西亚公司在2009年负责了QVB大厦的修复工作。
这些符号代表的正是房地产开发商——即建筑物的建造者。中央下方的图案代表了建筑竣工的纹章标志,而两只手相握则象征着两种文化的融合。
女王的密信
有一封伊丽莎白二世女王写给悉尼市民的信,这封信将由悉尼市市长于2085年开启并宣读。
维多利亚女王雕像
在QVB大楼外的市政厅广场上,面向市政厅的位置设有皇家许愿井以及维多利亚女王的雕像。我们的体验:这是我第二次来这座建筑,但我仍然能发现它身上那些鲜为人知的历史细节。这里真是个非常适合漫步的地方——不妨喝杯咖啡或茶,尽情享受这一切吧!