Victoria Architectural & Structural Explorations
6 Architectural & Structural Explorations in Victoria
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Victoria’s legendary landmark! Experience the lifestyles of the rich & powerful at the end of the 19th century! Completed in 1890, the Castle is now a historic house museum. View exquisite stained glass, intricate woodwork & lavish Victorian-era furnishings.
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Located 20 min west of downtown Victoria, these adjacent Parks Canada administered sites offer spectacular views of Esquimalt Harbour & Juan de Fuca Strait. Fort Rodd Hill’s extensive century-old fortifications include 3 gun batteries, barracks & searchlight emplacements. Fisgard Lighthouse, built in 1860, is Canada’s oldest West Coast lighthouse. Video programs, exhibits & displays of original artifacts tell the site's long & colourful history; open year-round; families often bring a picnic lunch & stay for half a day. While the kids investigate our tide pools, parents can enjoy the spectacular sea & mountain views. Come visit soon.
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Experience, discover & enjoy one of Victoria's hidden treasures. Located 20 min drive from downtown, Victoria Hatley Park National Historic Site is situated on a 226 ha (565 acre) property. Enjoy an interpretive tour of the 101-year Hatley Castle, stroll the gardens, visit our quaint museum & gift shop. Like a good walk? We have 15 km of trails through wooded forests - you can even bring along your GPS & go caching! Rich with military history & one of British Columbia's founding families - the Dunsmuirs - the site is rich with natural & cultural history, celebrating the best of British Columbia.
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The Parliament Buildings are open to visitors year-round for free guided tours. Come & discover the history & architectural splendour of the Parliament Buildings & learn about British Columbia's parliamentary process. Tours are free & are offered in a variety of languages. Remember to visit our Legislative Gift Shop & stop for lunch in the Legislative Dining Room.
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See all of British Columbia in an afternoon at the Royal BC Museum. Unique galleries showcase the human and natural history of our province and temporary exhibitions explore other countries and cultures. Be enthralled and entertained as you view authentic artifacts and specimens displayed in highly realistic settings - from fossilized palm trees to satellite imagery, from Woolly Mammoth to webcam, experience British Columbia as it was and as it is now. Stroll through Old Town's main wood-cobbled street, enjoy its shops, cinema and railway station. Visit a ceremonial Big House; see an impressive selection of First Nations totem poles and masks. Learn about BC's coastal marine life via a Victoria-era "submarine" just like Captain Nemo; view an undersea cliff through a floor-to-ceiling window; check out live sea stars, fish and sea urchins in the 360 litre aquarium. From Oct 23, 2009 to January 10, 2010 - Silver of the Stars - Scottish silversmiths designed vessels for the favourite drinks of 10 Scottish celebrities. Each shares an imaginary story of "A Drink with a Close Friend". S'abadeb - The Gifts: Pacific Coast Salish Art & Artists from Nov 20, 2009 to March 9, 2010. Historic sculpture, basketry, weaving & contemporary artworks emphasize the vitality of today's Coast Salish First Nations & their artistic traditions. These 165 works of art from collections around the world offer a glimpse into the daily & ceremonial lives of the 39 Salish nations.
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Former girls school & convent, St. Ann's Academy National Historic site is located just 1 block from the Inner Harbour. St. Ann's features 2.5 ha (6.25 acres) of restored grounds & historic interiors featuring the 1858 restored chapel, Victoria's original Catholic cathedral. Celebrating Chapel's 150th anniversary "Tidings of Comfort & Joy" Sunday afternoon concert series at 2pm. Nov 30: Madd Regaeles' Muse; Dec 7: organist Steven Benson & Friends; Dec 14: Celtic Harpist Alison Vardy; Dec 21: classical guitarist Brad Prevedoros. Adults $12 per concert, $10 seniors/students. Call 250.953.8829 for reservations & ticket info.
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