Lygon Street, Melbourne facts for kids
Lygon Street is a famous street in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It runs through several northern suburbs like Carlton and Brunswick East. Lygon Street is well-known for its strong connection to Melbourne's Italian community. It is often called the heart of Little Italy because it has many Italian restaurants and outdoor cafes.
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Where is Lygon Street?
Lygon Street stretches from south to north through Melbourne's inner suburbs. It starts in the city center, connecting to Russell Street. From there, it goes north through Carlton, Carlton North, and Brunswick East. The street's name changes to Holmes Street and then Nicholson Street further north. It's important to know that this Nicholson Street is different from another one in Melbourne!
You can easily get around Lygon Street using tram route 1 and tram route 6. These trams run along a good part of the street, making it simple to visit.
Melbourne's Italian Food Hub
The most famous part of Lygon Street is its Italian restaurant area in Carlton. This lively area is between Queensberry Street and Elgin Street. Many Italian families who moved to Melbourne in the 1950s settled here.
This area holds a special place in Australian history. It was the first place in Australia to have an espresso coffee machine! It's also thought to be where the "Aussie" pizza was invented. The whole area feels very European, and it hosts the yearly Lygon Street Festa. This is one of Australia's biggest outdoor street festivals, celebrating Italian culture with food, music, and fun.
You can also find the La Mama Theatre and the Courthouse Theatre here. Another famous spot is the bright neon sign at Borsari's Corner, named after an Italian cyclist named Nino Borsari. Toto's Pizza House, Australia's very first pizzeria, has been serving delicious pizzas on Lygon Street since 1961!
Other Interesting Places
Lygon Street has more than just restaurants. The Melbourne Trades Hall is a historic building located at the corner of Lygon Street and Victoria Street. The Melbourne General Cemetery is also on the western side of Lygon Street in North Carlton.
Between Grattan Street and Elgin Street, you'll find many shops and boutiques. Cinema Nova, a popular movie theater, opened here in 1992. For music lovers, the East Brunswick Club started as a music venue in 2006. If you're hungry late at night, Lamb's Souvlaki is a popular restaurant that's open 24 hours a day.
Images for kids
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The entrance to Melbourne Trades Hall.
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The historic Lygon Street Christian Chapel.
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Lygon Buildings, which were built in 1888.
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Italian restaurants glowing at night on Lygon Street.
