An Important Landmark

In preparation for moving to Brighton, I was surprised and confused that a large palace kept popping up in photos, and realized that it is one of the first things that you notice once you enter the town center. 

The Royal (or Brighton) Pavilion was built at the order of George IV as a retreat for when he retreated to the seaside town to indulge in his vices away from the expectations of royalty in London. 

Although it was built with an important purpose for its time, I soon began to wonder why it was still important today, and why even Brighton residents have come to associate it with the city. In a British Culture module I took in the Fall, I got to tour the Pavilion and find some answers to these questions. 

One reason seems so out of place in its setting is because George was incredibly fascinated with Indian architecture and East Asian decoration. 

The outside of the palace is modeled after many domelike structures that were being used in India at the time and George got to add other influences behind the walls.

Although George IV never visited Asia, he really liked the idea of East Asian design, which told his interior decorator when having the palace decorated. Using many reds and golds, the Palace implements many iconic pieces used in East Asian designs of the time. 

The most noticeable piece is perhaps the massive chandelier in the middle of the dining hall. Weighing more than a ton and spanning over 30ft the chandelier features a large dragon surrounded by large banana tree-like leaves and holding the rest of the chandelier.

The Pavilion has also been home to three of England's monarchs (George IV, William IV, and Victoria-- I'm thinking of doing a future post on the royals; what are your thoughts?)  

Additionally, the Palace has acted as Brighton's first library, a model for future gardens in the country, and even acted as a hospital for the Indian army of the British Empire during WWI.

Altogether, the Pavilion has played many parts in the town of Brighton, and perhaps this is why it remains a symbol for the city. It has become a representation of the eclectic and free energy that the town embodies as well as the blending of many cultures that come together to make Brighton such a unique place.

Up until now, I've just been writing about topics which I find interesting but as this blog is for you guys, I'd like to ask: what do you guys want to hear more about? I'm curious to hear what you'd like to learn about!

Cheers!