Thursday, April 11, 2013

Skywatch Friday - Palace of Fine Arts

Last weekend was a beautiful day to visit the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco.
It was built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition which included exhibits in Education, Liberal Arts, Manufactures, Varied Industries, Agriculture, Food Products, Transportation, Mines and Metallurgy and the Palace of Machinery according to Wikipedia. As a secondary purpose, it was also to celebrate the finishing of the Panama Canal and the resurrection of San Francisco after the devastating 1906 earthquake.
After the exposition, it was scheduled to be torn down, but luckily locals petitioned to have it saved.
Over the years, it became in a state of disrepair and in 1964 parts of the palace was demolished and recreated.
Today it is a popular tourist attraction and a scenic location for wedding photos.

A short walk leads you to the Romanesque rotunda.

One seems to be transported to the Greco-Roman period in history just standing there looking at the columns.

From what I read, the reliefs symbolize Greek culture and its desire for poetic and artistic expression.

And the figures at the top of the columns symbolize tearful women living life without art.

Visit other Skywatch Friday participants.

- Karen

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14 comments:

  1. Photo Cache3:42 PM

    I love looking at it. One of these days, I'm going to bring a sandwich and picnic infront of it.

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  2. Sylvia K6:45 PM

    What an incredible building and perfect for Fine Arts!! Your captures are marvelous and the blue skies are the perfect backdrop!! Thanks for sharing! Hope you have a great weekend!

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  3. Yogi♪♪♪7:09 PM

    I love big old monuments like this. From a different era.

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  4. LONDONLULU7:10 PM

    Thank goodness the locals were forward-thinking enough to save this beautiful structure at the time! I love the classic lines - the symbolism in the last one is quite sobering...arts *are* important!

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  5. Arija10:34 PM

    That is a lovely walk and pictures. How I miss San Francisco.

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  6. Anonymous1:36 AM

    What a spectacular structure, although the pigeon looks less than impressed in your first photo!

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  7. Jidhu Jose2:29 AM

    great

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  8. ArtandArchitecture-SF.com6:55 AM

    Without a doubt, one of my absolute favorite buildings in the city. You got some beautiful shots.

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  9. FilipBlog1:36 PM

    Well, seeing this article, when I am in San Francisco I will visit this place.

    Greetings,
    Filip

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  10. Indrani7:44 PM

    I liked the pigeon in the foreground of the first picture. Great captures of amazing architecture!

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  11. Anonymous10:17 PM

    What a nice place. I must be able to learn a lot there. :)

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  12. Mandy12:19 AM

    What fabulous structures. I think I'd be caught up for the longest time photographing the wonderful rotunda and columns.

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  13. Jana12:21 AM

    beautiful!

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  14. LifeRamblings6:11 PM

    stunning architecture with a great sense of history.

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