Excursion tour in Los Angeles. Top architecture - monuments, castles, temples and palaces

» The Hollywood Sign, one of the symbols of Los Angeles, is a famous commemorative sign on the Hollywood Hills.
»  The sign is widely known and has become a trademark of the entire US film industry.
»  The sign was created in 1923 and has been repeatedly vandalized and then restored throughout its history. Now it is protected with a modern security system.
»  The sign makes frequent appearances in films and TV shows shot in or near Hollywood.
»  During the New Year’s celebrations on January 1, 2000, the Hollywood Sign was illuminated with lots of multi-colored lights.

» The creation of the Griffith Observatory opened in 1935 was funded by Jenkins Griffith. This is one of Los Angeles’ most popular attractions.
»  The observatory is located on the southern slope of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park named after Jenkins Griffith because he gave this land to the city gratis so that a park and observatory would be built there.
»  The central planetarium demonstrates a 30-minute show called In the Center of the Universe revealing the mysteries behind space objects. The observatory also has exhibition halls where space-related exhibits are displayed.
»  When the weather is good, the city’s downtown, Hollywood, and the Hollywood Sign can be well seen from the top of the observatory.
»  Telescopes are installed all over the planetarium and observation platforms and can be used by anyone. In the evening, the roof of the observatory is opened and all visitors can use the telescope.

» Los Angeles City Hall is a famous building housing the mayor’s office and is one of the most popular landmarks of the city.
»  The 32-story 138-meter building was built in 1928.
»  The City Hall has an observation deck located on the 27th floor. It is always open to the public.
»  Great earthquakes often occur in Los Angeles, so the building was made seismically stable. Thus, the building can withstand an 8 magnitude earthquake.
»  City Hall is pictured on a Los Angeles Police badge.

» The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels was designed by Raphael Moneo and built in 2002. The cathedral was erected on the site of a Catholic church destroyed by the severe earthquake that struck Los Angeles in 1994.
»  The cathedral is architecturally unique: there is not a single right angle in the entire structure!
»  The size of the temple is truly impressive. About 3,000 parishioners can simultaneously gather here.
»  It is interesting that the church has its own mausoleum in which anyone can buy a burial place. All money earned from that is used to keep the cathedral in good condition.
»  Near the postmodern church, there is a park decorated with statues of people and animals, some of which are biblical.

» The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion is the place where the Los Angeles Opera performs.
»  The concert hall was named for Dorothy Buffum Chandler. Largely thanks to her funding, help, and efforts, the concert hall was completed already in 1964.
»  Before the concert hall was even built, Dorothy Chandler promised the city authorities that there would be a day during the year when citizens would be able to attend its events for free. And she kept her promise: the pavilion is open to the public every Christmas Eve when music plays here and dance groups from all over Los Angeles County perform onstage.
»  From 1969 to 1987, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion traditionally hosted the Academy Awards.
»  Oscar statuettes were also awarded here from 1990 to 1994, in 1996, and finally in 1999.

» The Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles is considered one of the best art museums in the United States.
»  The museum is dedicated to contemporary art – paintings, sculptures, graphics, pieces of applied art. The main requirement works should meet to get there is to date from 1940 or later.
»  In addition to permanent exhibitions, the Museum of Contemporary Art also has temporary exhibitions, many of which become high-profile events in the cultural life of the country. Furthermore, art lectures and other educational programs are held here.
»  The Museum of Contemporary Art has over 5,000 exhibits in its collection, and the number is constantly growing.
»  It's interesting that there are no restrictions on the style of works present in the museum. Here you can see pop art, abstract expressionism, visual art as well as photography.

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Facts: » The Beverly Wilshire Hotel was built by Walter G. McCarty on the site of the former Beverly Hills Speedway in 1928.
»  The historic hotel was built in the shape of letter E. The Italian Renaissance style used in the hotel design perfectly fits the modern setting of Los Angeles and gives the building even more grandeur contrasting with the surrounding architecture.
»  The facade of the building is faced with special expensive Tuscan stone and Carrara marble.
»  The hotel has a famous restaurant called Cut. There are also a pool and tennis courts.
»  Lots of renowned people have stayed at the hotel, including Elvis Presley, John Lennon, Barack Obama, Elton John, Robert Pattinson, Al Pacino, and others.
»  It was in this hotel that Pretty Woman, the world-famous American movie, was shot in 1990.