Crystal Palace

The Crystal Palace was built in 1850 in London and was located in Hyde Park. It was built of iron and glass, and the construction was timed to coincide with the World Exhibition of 1851. The project was designed by Joseph Paxton.

The palace had the appearance of a huge greenhouse. For the first time, construction without partitions was used and the interior space had the appearance of a huge exhibition hall. At the end of the exhibition, the Crystal Palace was dismantled and moved to Sydney Hill. The place became a favorite among citizens for country walks. The palace itself was famous for many attractions.

Of great interest was the interpretation of the scene of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The exposition recreates the situation of Pompeii’s dwellings, which is made on the basis of casts at the excavation site.

Particular delight among visitors was caused by a realistic view of the Victoria Falls of South Africa and the Ethnological Museum, representing the life of the aborigines of Africa, Australia and America. There were also Roman, Greek and Egyptian halls.

On the lower terrace there was a greenhouse and a winter garden, fountains with swimming pools.

After a fire in November 1936, the Palace was not restored. In 1990, a museum dedicated to the Crystal Palace was opened. The name of the palace is one of the districts of London, a railway station, a complex of television towers and a football club.