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This
Grade 1 listed building is the centrepiece of an idea conceived by
Albert, the Prince Consort. Inspired by the huge success of the world's
first international ‘Expo' of 1851 the Prince proposed to
bring together a range of national institutions (cultural, scientific
& academic) on one site.
The
hall is based on the design of a Roman amphi-theatre and holds an
audience of about 5,500. Its external façade is Italianate,
built of red brick and terracotta and has an 800ft mosaic frieze that
circles the building and portrays the hall's purpose 'the advancement
of the arts and sciences'.
Sadly
the Prince Consort died before its
completion and the hall was
formally opened in 1871 in the presence of Her Majesty Queen Victoria,
his devoted widow.
Today
the hall stages many events ranging
from opera to rock, tennis
tournaments to wrestling and is the home of the hugely popular
‘Proms'.
Across
the road from the hall in Hyde Park is the beautifully ornate and
gilded Albert Memorial designed by George Gilbert Scott.
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