“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen”
Ephesians 3:20
If someone had asked me what I knew about Liverpool, England prior to our visit in July, I would have said that it was the birthplace of the Beatles. I have never been so pleasantly surprised by a city. It was modern and energetic, but with a real sense of history! Liverpool was a borough since 1207 and a city from 1880. The city’s expansion was largely brought about by its status as a major port, which included its participation in the Atlantic slave trade. Liverpool was the port of registry of the ocean liner RMS Titanic, and many other Cunard and White Star ocean liners such as RMS Lusitania and Queen Mary! It’s status as a port city has contributed to its diverse population, which was drawn from a wide range of peoples, cultures, and religions! Tourism forms a significant part of the city’s modern economy. Please join us as we take a tour of one of our favorite stops in the British Isles!
The Liverpool Waterfront is one of the most recognized skylines in the world. The Pier Head is a riverside location in the city centre and is part of the Unesco World Heritage Site. The site encompasses a trio of landmarks! One of these is the Royal Liver Building consisting of two clock towers, both crowned by mythical Liver Birds.
The Port of Liverpool Building is one of the three buildings at Pier Head, that are also known as “Three Graces.” It is noted for the large dome that sits atop it.
River Mersey at Liverpool gave its name to Merseybeat, developed by bands from Liverpool, notably the Beatles.
Water quality in the Mersey was severely affected by industrialization. With campaigns to improve the quality, it was announced in 2009 that the river is cleaner than any time since the “industrial revolution”!
The Albert Dock is a complex of dock buildings and warehouses opened in 1846. It was the first structure in Britain to be built from cast iron, brick, and stone, with no structural wood. As a result, it was the first non-combustible warehouse system in the world!
The Albert Dock was considered a revolutionary docking system because ships were loaded directly from/to the warehouses!
Albert Dock featured the world’s first hydraulic cranes. Due to its open yet secure design, it stored valuable cargoes such as brandy, cotton, tea, silk, tobacco, ivory, and sugar!
Today the Albert Dock is a major tourist attraction. The Merseyside Maritime Museum was one of the most interesting museums that we have visited and it was free of charge. The international importance of Liverpool as a gateway to the world, including its role in the transatlantic slave trade and the RMS Titanic, is shown in the museum’s collections!
Lusitania was a British ocean liner that was briefly the world’s largest passenger ship. She was launched by the Cunard Line in 1906.
The Atlantic slave trade took place across the Atlantic Ocean from the 16th through to the 19th centuries. Estimates are that about 12 million Africans were shipped across the Atlantic.
The International Slavery Museum was so moving and to think that modern day slavery is still going on is an horrific tragedy!
Unfortunately we were not able to capture the size of the Liverpool Cathedral (Church of England). The total length is 207 yards making it the longest cathedral in the world!
The high altar in the Liverpool Cathedral! The foundation stone was laid by King Edward VII in 1904 and the completion of the building was marked in October 1978 and attended by Queen Elizabeth II.
Gustav Adolfs Kyrka or the Scadinavian Seamen’s Church was built between 1883-1884. Its unusual architecture caught our eye as we were walking.
Liverpool has a large colorful multi-cultural population, a high percentage of which is Chinese. Liverpool Chinatown is the first chinatown established in Europe. The entrance is landmarked by a beautifully crafted traditional Chinese arch, imported piece by piece from Shanghai!
St. Luke’s Church is a former Anglican Church and is now a ruin! It was built between 1811 and 1832.
The church was badly damaged during the Liverpool Blitz in 1941, and remains as a roofless shell. It now stands as a memorial to those who were lost in World War II.
The Three Graces…Royal Liver Building, the Cunard Building, and the Port of Liverpool Building on Liverpool’s historic waterfront!
The Georgian architecture, waterfront skyline, their friendly culture, and the endless museums…these are just a few of the reasons why I found Liverpool a pleasant surprise on our visit to the British Isles! Be sure to stay tuned for more on Liverpool’s very own Beatles and The Merseybeat in the coming weeks!
Linking with Pieced Pastimes, Silver Pennies, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice, Mod Vintage Life, Coastal Charm, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, The Dedicated House, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, Ivy and Elephants, French Country Cottage, From My Front Porch To Yours, Stone Gable, Confessions of a Plate Addict, Worthing Court, Between Naps on the Porch, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, The Style Sisters, The Charm of Home, The Winthrop Chronicles, Cornerstone Confessions, A Delightsome Life, Imparting Grace, Posed Perfection, Katherines Corner, My Romantic Home, Chic On A Shoestring Decorating, Rooted In Thyme, Share Your Cup, TheEnchanting Rose, Alabama Women Bloggers, 21 Rosemary Lane, Northern Nesting, Oh My Heartsie Girl, Cozy Little House, Rattlebridge Farm, The Turquoise Home, My Flagstaff Home, In The New House, Natasha in Oz, Vintage Refined
Estimada Pam, para ser sincera yo tampoco podría haber contado gran cosa de Liverpool…teniendo en cuenta que vivo en Europa y debiera saber un poco más.
Me ha impresionado porque no me parecía que fuera una gran ciudad y tan interesante, bueno…tenía conocimiento de su importante puerto, y lo de los Beatles, eso sí, pero hasta ahí nada más.
Muy interesante estas crónicas de tus viajes, me encantan tus escritos y el reportaje fotográfico.
Un cordial saludo
Dolores
Lo he traducido:
Dear Pam, to be honest I could not have had much of Liverpool … considering that I live in Europe and should know more.
I was impressed because I did not think was a big city and so interesting, well … was aware of its important port, and the Beatles, yes, but that’s nothing.
Very interesting these chronicles of truth, I love your writing and photographic reportage.
Best regards
Dolores
I’ve never been to this part of the world, so thank you for sharing!
Thanks so much Kim! Wishing you a lovely week!
Liverpool sounds very interesting. Thanks for sharing because I probably won’t get to visit there.
You do a great job with travel posts.
Thanks Bonnie, I love history so travel makes it all cone to life!
a friend just came back from a week visit overseas and LOVED it. I am now ready to go myself, thanks for sharing!
I am so glad your friend enjoyed and hopefully you can also visit! Blessings!
Beautiful! I was in Liverpool just overnight a few years ago, and thought it was charming (despite the opinions of many native British people).
Kira, thank you for commenting! It was definitely charming!
Liverpool is a beautiful city, we English folks are always busy rubbishing our towns and cities instead of looking at the positives! Actually I think we like to rubbish where we are from but then get very upset when “outsiders” rubbish it too (sorry about that!)
Looks like you had an amazing time, with traditional weather judging by the photos, and really paid attention to what you saw. I’ve been to Liverpool a few times and didn’t know half the things you’ve shared here!
The ruined church is very poignant, I’m from Coventry and our Cathedral has been left as a ruin after WW2 in much the same way. I think it’s good not to rebuild everything but leave some reminders, a quiet place to sit and reflect.
Julie, thank you so much for your gracious comments! It is always so nice to hear from someone who actually lives in a country that we have visited! We thoroughly enjoyed everything about Liverpool! I was fascinated and captivated. I would love to see a photo of the bombed-out church in Coventry! Blessings!
Beautiful pictures!
Thanks so much Summer! Blessings!
I have always associated Liverpool with Dickens novels and 19th century industrialization. This was an enjoyable journey through a series of lovely photos. Thank you!
Thank you for reading and commenting! It was a fascinating city!
Really didn’t know much at all about Liverpool. Enjoyed learning about it! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
It was a lovely city, Jann!
I must say you opened my eyes in this post – I have always imagined Liverpool as dirty and run down. It is anything but. Thanksyou
Diana
Diana, I had the same thoughts. I was wrong, Liverpool is lovely! Thanks and have a lovely week!
I must say you opened my eyes in this post – I have always imagined Liverpool as dirty and run down. It is anything but. Thankyou.
Diana
We were in London this summer, but did not make it to Liverpool. Your pictures make the city look so impressive – it must have been a great trip.
Colleen, we loved Liverpool and had no idea that we would!
Fascinating history and yes, the only thing I knew about Liverpool was the Beatles! Thanks again for linking up this month to Take Me Away! Enjoy your weekend!
Shelley
We were most surprised at how much we loved Liverpool