Derelict city of maritime history, Beatles and football - Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City 1150
What and Why
Liverpool's prominence as a major port city was unparalleled throughout the Industrial Revolution. The city was a pioneer in the development of modern dock technology, transport systems and port management, and building construction. As a result it became a major shipbuilding city and home to famous shipbuilders like the White Star Line, the owner of the ocean liner Royal Mail Ship (RMS) Titanic and RMS Lusitania. It is also during this maritime glorious time that Liverpool developed its reputation as a fine Victorian architecture city, where these buildings are still prominently standing.
In spite of the glory, Liverpool has also to come to terms with its dark history in its participation in the slave trade. Slaves were traded mostly in Liverpool from Africa and sent to North America for labour; and unfortunately Liverpool were at the centre of this notorious slave triangle due to its convenient location in the maritime circle.
The popularity of The Beatles and other music groups during the 1960s CE contributes to Liverpool's status as a tourist destination. Liverpool is of course home to the 2019 CE European and world champion, Liverpool Football Club. However the city has become derelict for the past 20 years as a result of industrial slow-down and restructure of economy due to the shifting away of the manufacturing sector.
Unfortunately this city's heritage has suffered from a recent surge of development and it has been delisted from the UNESCO WHS list, one of the only three sites to be in this infamous group.
Toponymy
Liverpool comes from the Old English 'lifer', meaning 'muddy water', and 'pōl', meaning 'pool'; while Liverpudlians are fondly known as scousers, from scouse, which is a form of local stew.
See
Saint George's Hall
The first thing that catches your eyes after you get out of the train station, Saint George's Hall is a neo-classical city hall, concert halls and government office, was only recently built in the mid-19th century CE. It stands at the smack on the city centre and is located along the main thoroughfare of the city. The building is considered one of the finest buildings in the United Kingdom.
Royal Liver Building
The Royal Liver (pronounced /ˈlaɪvər/) Building is simply the most recognisable icon along the Liverpool waterfront, bearing the famed and fabled liver birds at clock towers. This is also another grand example of Victorian architecture. It looks like this building is not going to be demolished soon, as legend has it that if the two birds fly away, then Liverpool would cease to exist.
Albert Dock
The concentration of tourist, recreational and heritage areas are all in Albert Dock, the main port area. You will be able to find all sorts of museums, shops, eateries in the area. The Beatles Story museum is located inside.
Opened in the mid-19th century CE, the Royal Albert Dock was originally the docking warehouse for the maritime industry. It was the first structure in the United Kingdom to be built from cast iron, brick and stone, with no structural wood. To this end, it was the first non-combustible warehouse system in the world and thrust Liverpool into the forefront of marine trade and industry of the world. It is central to the development of Liverpool's maritime glorious history.
The wharf is kept there as part artefact, part for occasional fishermen.
Chinatown
There are a few other important touristy areas in Liverpool including the largest Chinatown in Europe.
Museum of Liverpool
An iconic structure at the mouth of Albert Dock, the Museum of Liverpool replaces the former Musuem of Liverpool Life.
Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral
Nicknamed the wigwam for obvious reason, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral is an unusual iconic structure visible from most part of Liverpool as it stands tall.
Martins Bank
The building is interesting as it indicates the dark slavery history that Liverpool used to embrace. In those days it was customary for the merchants to engrave their respective trade outside their door frame and in this building it shows the owners used to be involved in slave-trade. This engraving shows two African boys manacled and carrying money bags. The cost of a slave during those times was approximately GBP £30 per slave, equivalent to a normal annual labour salary.
The Beatles Story
I was born after The Beatles fever, but I did grow up with this hype's aftermath. Aside from football and boats, this is probably Liverpool's third greatest export. The Beatles Story is a museum in Liverpool about The Beatles and their history. It is located on the historical Royal Albert Dock. It is really no surprise that Liverpool is a UNESCO City of Music.
Liverpool Football Club
As a 40-year fan, Liverpool's Anfield is a shrine to all Liverpool fan. The emotion inside is beyond words. Without prejudice, the museum and stadium tour is easily one of the best, if not the best, in the world. The video shows the pre-match war-cry roar during my recent visit.
The famed Kop is the most-renowned stand at Anfield among home fans, and it creates an intimidating and deafening atmosphere renowned and revered in the football universe. The name came from the British invasion to Africa, when the British Army fought to capture a hilltop, and 300 men perished in the attempt, many of whom were from Liverpool itself. That hilltop’s name was Spion Kop — or Spioenkop in Afrikaan, meaning spy-hill. The sloped hilltop is resembled in many football terrace stands and actually there are many 'kops' in world stadia, like Leeds United Elland Road and Birmingham City's Saint Andrew's, but of course this Kop is definitely the most famous.
Eat and Drink
Scouse
I had a serving of the scouse in a local pub The Pumphouse. As mentioned scouse is the local stew of chunks of meat, usually beef or lamb, potatoes and onion. Apparently this food is strongly associated with Liverpool and the locals are still eating it.
Dabbawala (मुंबई डब्बावाला)
I have been to Liverpool a couple of times but generally find the food just ordinary. Recently we ate at Mowgli Street Food, which serves Indian fare and it reminds me of something I would like to share. The special feature of this restaurant is that all dishes are served in a dabbawala (Hindi: मुंबई डब्बावाला) tiffin. Food is predictably regular, but it is important to pay tribute to the dabbawala, which is the key to the unbelievably efficient supply-chain of lunch boxes around India. I was told that there were more Indian eateries in England than traditional pubs! It must have been weird to include an Indian dish as a feature of Liverpool, but I have to be excited with the distinctive dabbawala tiffin in real action!
Travel Suggestions and Logistics
Liverpool Lime Street is the main train station where there are good bus access to Albert Dock or pretty much anywhere in the city. Liverpool deserves two or three days of visit.
It is often suggested to combine a trip to Liverpool with the Lake District as blogged in Windermere.
UNESCO Inscription
Six areas in the historic centre and docklands of the maritime mercantile City of Liverpool bear witness to the development of one of the world’s major trading centres in the 18th and 19th centuries. Liverpool played an important role in the growth of the British Empire and became the major port for the mass movement of people, e.g. slaves and emigrants from northern Europe to America. Liverpool was a pioneer in the development of modern dock technology, transport systems and port management. The listed sites feature a great number of significant commercial, civic and public buildings, including St George’s Plateau.
References
Comments
Please share your thoughts and comments about the blog. If you need suggestions to build a travel itinerary, please let me know. More than willing to help. I would also like to build a bespoke-travel community around UNESCO WHS and ICH.
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