Although this was my 4th trip to the city of brotherly love, I had yet to tour the incredible city hall. The outside is so stunning & the architecture is so detailed, that I couldn’t wait to see the inside and what gorgeous things adorned it.
I have a slight obsession with clocks & can’t pass one up without taking a photo. It’s very rare to see a true clock tower these days with a clock facing each direction.
This has got to be the most beautiful city hall in the country & is even more impressive than many state capitols that I have seen. The sheer size of the building (larger in square footage than the US Capitol building) and the incredible amount of ornate details are stunning.
Until now, I had no idea that you could actually walk through the building. I’d always just gone around & avoided crossing the roads & traffic. Each entrance way has a different theme and decorations are focused on a different continent.
They really don’t make buildings like this anymore! So incredible & so stately. Apparently, it’s been undergoing renovations for the last 30+ years & this is the first time in ages that there is no scaffolding around the building where they are cleaning & repairing decades worth of damage.
Part of the original plan was always that you could walk through the building so it wouldn’t impede traffic flow. I had no idea there was an enormous courtyard in the center & even a subway station!
I loved all of the different stones- textures and colors, in each of the grand entry ways. These areas were massive- with huge & beautifully decorated ceilings.
Philadelphia has such an interesting history- some much of the US history is wrapped up in the city & so much religious history is formed here. I especially like how influential all the Quakers & pacifists were in influencing much of the architecture.
One interesting thing about the city hall is that it still has a functional court & all those open-air stairs lead up into the courtroom.
GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: Going to check out some caverns today!
It really is magnificent, isn’t it? Every time I have to drive to S. Broad street I am overcome with it’s beauty : )
Life with Kaishon recently posted..Merry, Merry Christmas from your favorite procrastinator in the whole wide world.