Today we had planned to visit one of the beaches on Lake Michigan but the weather was miserable. It was pouring down so we decided to go back to the diner we visited on our first morning here to pig out on breakfast. From there we walked round the corner and picked up the 'L'line into the town to go to the Cultural Centre. This wasn't something on our 'to do' list but turned out to be well worth a visit.
On the south side of the building is the Preston Bradley Hall, it was originally the place where members of the public would receive their library books to take home. The ceiling is constructed around this 38ft diameter glass dome designed by Tiffany glass.
This was probably the largest undertaking by Tiffany. The dome (known as the Tiffany dome), includes 2848 faceted pieces of glass arranged in a fish scale pattern to admit the maximum amount of light as possible. At the centre of the dome is a great glass rosette surrounded by the signs of the zodiac.
It was still pouring down when we left so we decided to get a bus to Navy Pier, one of the top tourist spots that we had not yet visited. Other than the funfair, most of it was indoors. That is most of the fast food restaurants and a couple of shops. Not of particular interest to us so we decided to venture out into the rain and go back to the hotel.
After some down time we went out in the evening for an early meal and then off to the Lyric Opera theatre to see West Side Story. Considering we had last minute half price tickets they were very good. It was an excellent production and just as relevant a story today as when it was written.
While I know everything in Chicago is not all good, what a wonderful picture of the city you have shown us. It has absolutely beautiful buildings and there is so much to see. Tiffany lamps and ceiling domes, no less.
ReplyDeleteWe were totally surprised by Chicago. It was nothing like the impression we were given. It is a beautiful city with amazing architecture and sitting on the edge of a beautiful lake.
DeleteThat building is beautiful. The glass domes and staircase are magic. Sometimes rainy days on tour throw up surprising outcomes. We had rainy day in Madrid we walked out of our hotel and into the theatre not far down the street to keep dry and saw Mama Mia in Spanish it was a hoot.
ReplyDeleteI love the 1897 design for Chicago's first central public library, especially if you live in a city that occasionally has very grim weather - it was built beautifully, to maximise natural light and beauty through the glass domes. Even better, the fine architectural elements were retained when the building was converted into the Chicago cultural centre a century later.
ReplyDeleteThose glass domes are beautiful! Sounds like you made the best of a rainy day.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great find. Those windows alone were worth a look. I think on most of my trips I’ve happened upon something just to get out of the weather and had a nice surprise.
ReplyDeleteThis place is extravagant and spectacular! The stained glass just looks sheer magnificent!
ReplyDeletewow the amount of work, patience and artistic creativity that went into the domes and ceilings is amazing. Looks like you found a great place to shelter.
ReplyDeleteYou really made the best out of rainy day ! The glass work is beautiful and that you could see the Westside story is great ! Strange, I saw the best musicals in London, you have to go to Chicago ! :)
ReplyDeleteThe glass domes are so beautiful, what a lovely place to visit on a rainy day.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Exquisite architecture!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos of the Cultural Center ~ despite the weather ~ Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteWishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Chicago was the first place I went to on my First trip to the states. I landed there before catching a connecting flight to Purdu. A few days later I was driven to Chicago where I spend over a week installing some equipment at the Uni. I did see some of the city went up the John Hankock tower and visted the science Museum. Even saw Mr "T" haveing lunch in the Hotel we stayed at. Most of my trips to places were for work. No play
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