It was another beautiful sunny summer days, and we went on an organized History Walk with Dara down in Central London. On our way there, we saw a new building that bordered an old building that had recently been torn down. It was facinating to see the old fireplaces that once warmed rooms that no longer existed. I suppose that sense of history is one of the things that never ceases to amaze me about London.
We walked with our dogs down to Barbican station, and met up with our guide. Our first stop was at a building built in the 40's, and is a classic example of Art Deco. It is also used as the building where Hercule Poirot lives in the Agatha Christie TV series.
The square facing the building is lined with Mulberry Trees. In the latter 16th century, James I wanted to promote silk production in England and had these trees planted. Unfortunately, these were the wrong type of Mulberry tree, so the silkworms died, and production didn't take off.
We walked on further past an entrance blocked with two barricades. It is said that the traditional barricade was made from a decommissioned cannon with a cannon ball stuck in its end. The design stuck, and to this day, the barricades throughout London have been reproduced based on this design. The one we were shown is reputed to be the real thing.
From there, we walked over to Smithfields Market, which was built in the 1800's and was the main food trading market in Victorian times.
It is a beautiful iron structure with some of the best dragon sculptures in London guarding its entrance.
Smithfields was originally called smooth fields, as it was basically a flat area. It was here that most of the executions took place. Among them was William Wallace of Scotland, who attempted to hold off the English. His story was told in the Academy Award Winning Best Picture Braveheart. Great movie. Evidently there wasn't much attention paid to this spot until the film came out. Now there are flowers and strips of Tartan laid at the base of this plaque all the time. What a little publicity can do. . .
Right next to this is a mixed timber building from the Tudor era. It was covered with brick facing in the Victorian era to modernize it, but recently, the bricks began falling off, and it was decided to restore it to its original appearance. It is beautiful.
We got an explanation of the different types of phone booths in London. There are basically two, and they are made of cast iron. The larger, called the K2, is the original design created by Giles Gilbert Scott in the 1920's, which was inspired by headstones in the old St. Pancras Cemetary. The smaller K6 was introduced as a cost saving measure. Notice the size and fewer window panes.
There is a small statue of a boy on the side of a building. It reminded me of the famous statue in Brussels, which has become the symbol of that city. This one symbolizes gluttony, and stands as a warning. This was where the great fire that destroyed much of London stopped in the 1600's.
There are reminders everywhere of the long history of destruction and rebuilding in London from both the fire and the bombings of WWII.
We stopped to look at St Sepulchre Church. It is a great example of Neo Gothic design. And in front of it. . .
Is a Victorian Drinking fountain that still has the cups connected to it. In the 1800's there was a big push to have clean drinking water throughout London, and these drinking fountains were built and installed throughout the city.
Directly across the street is the old criminal courthouse building - affectionately known as "The Old Bailey".
It is a stunning building that must date back to before WWII, and thankfully was spared destruction somehow. And perched on top is a giant gold statue of justice blindfolded and holding a scale.
I like the classic slogan "Defend the children of the poor and punish the wrongdoer."
Now if we could only get the police to enforce the dog poo laws. . .
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