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| THE CHINESE PAGODA |
The Pagoda was completed in 1762 and at that time it was the tallest reconstruction of a Chinese building anywhere in Europe. The structure is a ten storey octagonal structure that is 163 feet (nearly50m) in height.
When it was built the Pagoda was very colourful and had a dragon at each corner. There were 80 dragons in total- each carved from wood and gilded with real gold. Although over the years there have been a number of restorations the original colours and dragons have not been replaced with most of the work being done to the roofs.
The whole structure tapers, with successive floors from the first to the top being 1 ft (30cm) less in diameter and height than the preceding one.
9 comments:
Did you know that pagodas normally have an odd number of levels? I hadn't realised that the one at Kew was so old, it must have looked quite different when first built. We tend to think of objects like this as having always been the same, but I doubt that there were so many tall trees around it originally making it look very big to everyone in 1762.
How impressive a sight. Can one visit and climb? Once again a joy to see alike being possible.
a wonderful tour of Kew gardens. thank you. robert
A grand edifice. It never ceases to amaze me of how much there is to see in the UK.
Looks like such a great place to wander through!
Original and beautiful, great shot.
Sill
WonderfulWorkThankYouForSharing
Very good shot, congrats!
Questa mi piace molto.
Complimenti
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