Culture of Vancouver. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

» The Art Gallery is located in the huge building with the four-tier dome. It was opened in 1931. About 4 000 m2 was allocated for exhibitions. It is planned to extend the building to expand the exhibition area.
» Almost 10 000 different exhibits are kept in the store-room and at the stands: picturesque canvasses, coins, sculptures, busts, pictures, videos, and everything having an artistic value in the world of aesthetics.
» The museum is proud of 157 paintings of the Canadian artist. Emily Carr is famous for her sketches of Indians’ life and local landscapes of the Canadian coast.
» The museum organizes not only permanent, but also temporary exhibitions. The Vancouver Art Gallery is also notable for its library. There are 45 000 specialized books! International exhibitions are organized several times a year.
» The building occupies the entire block that is an architectural masterpiece itself. You can enter it from two sides. Marble staircases lead to exhibition halls. The facade is faced with marble that was specially brought from America. Round columns uphold the masonry at the entrance. You can also use the services of the personal guide.

» The Maritime Museum was built on the embankment in 1959. Its fund contains 15 000 items. They represent the maritime history of the country.
» Here, you can see replicas of ships, navigation devices, historic pilot maps, and sailors’ outfits of different epochs.
» There is also the small children’s museum, the Discovery Centre. There are a lot of mobile stands, playgrounds for small visitors, and the model of the pirate schooner where you can steer the wheel.
» In the Vancouver Maritime Museum, there are a library, an archive, and a workshop. Masters build ships here.
» Workers are really proud of the St. Roch schooner. This ship got round North America. The NASA submarine is also very interesting. Here, you can see the maps painted by sailor and travelers James Cook.
» The old Vancouver Maritime Museum houses 35 000 artifacts. There are also paintings of mariners and hundred thousands of photos.
» In addition to exhibitions, you can attend master classes. You can learn here how to make pirate tattoos or sew hats for sea robbers.

» There is an old stone building surrounded by skyscrapers. It was built in 1894 and blessed in a year. Over the years of its existence, the building has been reconstructed several times. Christ Church Cathedral is characterized by a Gothic architectural style. A lot of stained glass windows decorate the building. Christ Church has gained a cathedral status for its merits. It belongs to the Anglican diocese. The first worships were held outside the cathedral because he had not been completed yet. Funds were raised for the construction of the temple. Initially, not so many parishioners came here (about 50 people). There were no funds for completing the building, so the temple was on the verge of being closed. Architect Robert Fripp offered the project of the church completion. The ceiling and the floor were decorated with cedar panels. At the beginning of the 20th century, the organ was replaced by a new one. Candles changed to electric lights. The construction of the bell tower had been delayed due to the refusal of the city authorities. The Royal Family traveled to Vancouver and visited Christ Church. The facade is decorated with a heraldic symbol, the Celtic cross.

Location on the map:   Facts: » Initially, in 1885, masses were held for several families. There was no permanent refuge. Holy Rosary Cathedral was built on donations from parishioners.
» Its name is not coincidental, as the first liturgy was held exactly on that day.
» “Rosary” means “entanglement of roses”. Holy Rosary is the symbol of the celestial wreath representing the combination of oral and mental prayers. Sacred beads are also used here.
» Originally, the church was built of wood. Then, the bell tower was constructed. The stone building started to be built in several years. It was completed in a year and a half. The old organ was placed inside.
» Worships are held in three languages, English, French, and Spanish.
» The vault of the cathedral is upheld by red marble pillars. The walls are decorated with carved gilded angels. They hold books and torches in their hands. Each of them has an inimitable face.
» There are two bell towers in the cathedral. Its facade is tiled with dark stones.
» Stained glass windows differ in their shape and size. They are made of small mosaics shining in the sun.
» The temple was blessed at the beginning of the 20th century. Holy Rosary has gained a cathedral status.