Royal Arcade, Melbourne facts for kids
The Royal Arcade is a super old and famous shopping arcade in the heart of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It first opened its doors in 1870. This makes it the oldest arcade still standing in Australia!
You can walk through the arcade from Bourke Street Mall to Little Collins Street. There's also a path that goes off to Elizabeth Street. It's famous for its beautiful, bright inside. You'll also see two huge carved figures called Gog and Magog at the southern entrance.
The Royal Arcade is a popular spot for tourists, just like the nearby Block Arcade. Both are part of Melbourne's amazing network of old shopping lanes and arcades. It's even listed as a special heritage site.
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History of the Royal Arcade
A talented architect named Charles Webb designed the arcade. He won a competition in 1868 to create it. The arcade has a tall glass roof that lets in lots of light. It also has rows of arched windows above the shops. The City Lord Mayor officially opened the arcade on May 2, 1870.
How the Arcade Changed Over Time
The arcade's most famous parts were added in 1893. At the south end, you'll find the mythical figures of Gog and Magog. They stand next to a large clock made by Gaunt, a famous clock-maker. Every hour, these figures strike bells with their arms! At the north end, there's a sculpture of Father Time.
The arcade originally ended at the south with an entrance to a Turkish Bath. But in 1902, this area was opened up to Little Collins Street. An extension was also added to Elizabeth Street that same year. The shop windows were changed many times, and a black and white checkered floor was added in 1934.
In the 1920s, a cast iron verandah was removed from the outside. But it was rebuilt in the 1990s, making the arcade look more like its original self. From 2002 to 2004, the arcade had a big makeover. This included bringing back the original shopfront designs from 1894. Around 2010, the outside was painted yellow and white with gold details.
Finding the Royal Arcade
The main entrance to the Royal Arcade is on Bourke Street. You can walk straight through it to Little Collins Street. There's also a path in the middle that leads west to Elizabeth Street. You can even find a connection to the smaller Hub Arcade near the Little Collins Street end.
Images for kids
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The Bourke Street Mall facade in 2006
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Southern end featuring Gog and Magog statues, and Gaunt's clock
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Sculpture of Father Time
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Bow fronted shopfronts
See also
