One of the most famous streets in the world - Piccadilly Street in London - is actually a large transport interchange and includes a square and a street. It is located in the fashionable neighbourhood of Westminster, until the 17th century it was called "Portugal", and even later the street was called Portuguese Street. Everyone knows the story of the successful entrepreneur Robert Baker and his collars "picadils", which became the name of his house, Piccadilly Hall, and later the street.
In the centre of Piccadilly Square there is the Shaftesbary fountain decorated with the figure of a boy with a bow. According to the idea of the sculptor Arthur Gilbert, it was Antheros, the angel of selfless mature love. But not all Londoners are familiar with the heroes of ancient myths and therefore the sculpture is called Eros.
Piccadilly Square - small, busy with transport, was once one of the first in the world, where neon advertising appeared. Remarkably, the advertising lights are only switched off on special occasions, such as the day Winston Churchill died and to commemorate the death of Princess Diana.
Architectural components of Piccadilly
The main landmarks are: the fountain with Antheros-Eros, the 1859 London Pavilion, the 1874-built Criterion Theatre, the Royal Academy of Arts, the Ritz Hotel, Fortnum-Mason's shop and St James's Church.
The first London Pavilion was built in 1859 as a music hall. In 1885, due to the reconstruction of the square and the laying out of Shaftesbury Avenue it was demolished and a new one built in its place and was very popular in its day. It now serves as a retail space and is part of the Trocadero Centre.
The Criterion Theatre is housed in a building with a restaurant of the same name and the old White Bear Hotel. The theatre was not complained about because of the arrangement of the stage on the underground level and lighting with gas burners. After electricity was brought into the building, the theatre gained new fans. From 1989 to 1992, the theatre was closed for a complete renovation. It currently hosts shows and concerts, and its permanent repertoire includes The Bible, The Complete Book of God, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, The Complete History of America, and The 39 Steps.
The Royal Academy of Arts elected its first 40 academicians and president Joshua Reynolds on 10 December 1768. Today, the Academy functions as a venue for public exhibitions; anyone can apply for a commission for approval. Exhibition artwork can be purchased. The Academy also operates an art museum and art school.
The most famous and luxurious hotel in Britain is the Ritz on Piccadilly, built in chateau style in 1906. The hotel has an impeccable reputation to this day, having been awarded the Royal Medal of Honour for best service. The hotel was completely refurbished in 1995 and the rooms were completely modernised in 2001. Traditional English tea parties are held at the hotel and there is a casino on the ground floor.
The history of Fortnum and Mason's shop begins in 1707 with the sale of candle holders from the royal palace. Fortnum was a court footman and Mason was the shopkeeper and supplier of groceries to the royal garrison. The shop retains its own landmark, a clock with the bowing figures of Fortnum and Mason. Nowadays, the shop still supplies food to the Royal Court, and is famous for its variety of loose teas, delicatessen, bakery, and good chocolates made in-house. In 2008 an apiary with a special kind of bees that do not sting was set up on the roof of the shop.
St James's Church in Westminster, aka St James's Church on Piccadilly, was built in the 17th century and was the final resting place of court chamberlains and physicians. During the World War II it was very badly damaged but has been restored. It is interesting because concerts are often held in the church itself, and exhibitions are often held around it. Interfaith conferences and other events are held under the auspices of the church.
On a side note
- Location: London, Piccadilly.
- Nearest tube stations: "Piccadilly Circus".
