Royal Exhibition Building, Exhibition hall in Carlton, Australia
Description
The Royal Exhibition Building is a neoclassical exhibition hall in Carlton, a neighborhood of Melbourne, that stands within Carlton Gardens and appears on both national and regional heritage lists. The structure displays columns, decorated cornices, and a central dome that rises above the surrounding treetops.
History
Joseph Reed designed the building in 1879 for an international exhibition intended to present Melbourne as a rising metropolis of the southern hemisphere. Later the hall housed the first federal parliament of Australia before it moved to Canberra.
Culture
The name carries a royal prefix that reflects the connection to the British Crown during the colonial period of the nineteenth century. Today people gather under the dome for public events and experience the same hall that once hosted hundreds of exhibiting nations.
Practical
Visitors enter the building through several entrances, with the main access most visible from Carlton Gardens. On event days waiting times may occur, so it is advisable to check current usage times before a visit.
Did you know?
The dome appears smaller from the outside than it actually is because the surrounding masonry conceals the proportions. Inside the space opens beneath the vault and reveals the actual height, which surprises many visitors.
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