Pictorial look at Sydney City!

Superlative Sydney is Australia's oldest, boldest, most populous city. Established in 1788 at Sydney Cove by Arthur Phillip who led the First Fleet from Britain,

 

 

 

CentrePoint Tower is one of the most photographed landmarks in Sydney.

 Here is is seen looking through the window of Hyde Park Barracks.

 

 

 

 

Here, CentrePoint Tower stands guard of a statue of Queen Victoria. This statue of the Queen was erected in 1888. Originally it was located in the middle of Queen's Square and trams and horse traffic went all around it.
 

 

 

The Hyde Park Barracks, built between 1817 and 1819 by convict labor. it was the principal male convict barracks in New South Wales and provided lodgings for convicts working in government employment around Sydney until its closure in 1848.

 

 

 

The Front of Hyde Park Barracks

 

 

 

 

In the courtyard of Hyde Park Barracks

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the convict cells. these are the rope hammocks convicts slept on.

 

 

 

 

Looking out over the city, this would have certainly been a prime view for convicts!

 

 

 

 

Sydney Mint, front entrance. The Mint was constructed between 1811–1816 as the southern wing of the Sydney Hospital. In 1854 a branch of the Royal Mint – the first outside England – was established on the site as a result of the discovery of gold in New South Wales. The former hospital wing was converted to offices for Mint staff and as a residence for the Deputy Mint Master.

 

 

 

 

At the rear of the building the coining factory was constructed, using locally quarried sandstone and prefabricated cast iron columns, girders and roofing components imported from England. Many of these unique buildings survive on the site today.

 

 

 

 

This is the old coining factory at the rear of the Mint property

 

 

 

 

One of the sandstone arches standing majestic - constructed in 1811

 

 

 

 

One of the magnificent staircases to adorn the Mint building

 

 

 

 

The original Sydney Hospital, which consisted of three wings, was later demolished for the present Sydney Hospital (1890).  Above is the centre building of the three wing complex originally housing 200 patients. The two wings to the north (now Parliament House) and south (now The Mint) were to house the medical officers; the principal surgeon in the north wing and his two assistants in the south. Each building had a separate kitchen at the rear and stables and coach-house were also provided so that the surgeons could cover their extensive practice quickly by horse and carriage.

 

 

 

 

The Il Porcellino bronze boar sculpture

(Sydney Hospital forecourt)

 

Few people fail to notice him! People from all over the world have solemnly stood in Macquarie Street, Sydney and rubbed his nose, made a wish, dropped a coin in his basket and had a photograph taken standing near him. In fact, he would be the most photographed object in Macquarie Street. His name is Il Porcellino. He is not a pig; he is a wild boar.  The original Il Porcellino statue is estimated to be over 500 years old, and was unearthed in Rome after having stood for over 100 years in the Uffizi Galleries in Florence. The Sydney Hospital and Sydney Eye Hospital Il Porcellino, which is a copy of  the original, was presented to the hospital in l968 by the Marchessa Clarissa Torrigiani in memory of her father and brother – Dr Thomas Fiaschi who died in 1928 and Dr Piero Fiaschi who died in 1948. Both had been renowned surgeons at the hospital

 

 

 

 

The rear buildings/facade of Sydney Hospital

 

 

 

 

The rear buildings/facade of Sydney Hospital

 

 

 

 

St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney

 

The foundation stone of the first St Mary's Chapel was laid by Governor Lachlan Macquarie in 1921.  Situated next to the convict barracks (Hyde Park Barracks), it will become the central place of worship for the early Catholic citizens of Sydney. In 1865, the Cathedral was burned down and work on a new Cathedral commenced in 1868. The Cathedral wasn't actually completed until 2000 when the Spires, designed by Wardell, are built.

 

 

 

 

Sydney GPO Clock Tower

 

Erected in 1878 to replace the original digital clock, this is the familiar three-faced clock that we see today if we walk down Martin Place.

 

 

 

 

Sydney GPO Clock Tower

 

 

 

 

Modern Fountain on Martin Place, Sydney

 

 

 

 

"In the Domain", looking across at St Mary's Cathedral.