Latest news with #HeritageSite
Forbes
12-07-2025
- Forbes
Lahore's 400-Year-Old ‘Picture Wall' To Be Fully Restored This Year
An aerial panoramic view of the Lahore Fort, in Lahore, Pakistan. getty Urbanization can be harsh and rather cruel when it comes to age-old heritage sites which stand as a city's jewels. It erodes away the inheritance of cultural lineage, identity and history that belongs to future generations, its rightful recipients. One of the finest examples of Mughal architecture in the city of Lahore, is the Lahore Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Pakistan. Built in the historic Walled City, this grand citadel is spread over 20 hectares, dating back to 1556 when it was spearheaded under the watchful eye of the Mughal Emperor, Akbar. The Mirror Palace, also known as Sheesh Mahal, at the Lahore Fort, in Pakistan. getty Because of its magnificent repertoire of Mughal architecture and exquisite craftsmanship, the fort was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981. The late Princess Diana at the Sheesh Mahal in the Lahore Fort, during her 4-day visit to Pakistan in September 1991. Photo by Tim Graham. Getty Images However, the picture wall, which originally served as the fort's private entrance, is one of the most prominent architectural features of the site and is partly responsible for its 'world heritage' listing. Measuring approximately 1,560 feet in length and 60 feet in height, the wall encompasses over 100,000 square feet of 'decorative surface,' and is considered one of the largest murals in the world. One of the world's largest murals, part of the Lahore Fort in Pakistan. getty Featuring over 3,000 glazed tile mosaics, fresco panels, intricate filigree and brickwork, the wall also encompasses vivid and colorful illustrations of angels and demons, humans and birds, hunting and battle scenes, not to mention plentiful floral and geometric motifs. However, over time, certain sections of the picture wall fell to ruin. This has been primarily due to the wall's waterspouts (installed during the British Raj), which caused a discharge of monsoon rainwater, resulting in deep erosion and damage. A section of the Lahore Fort's magnificent picture wall. getty At the start of 2018, the conservation of the fort's iconic picture wall was spearheaded by the Aga Khan Cultural Service-Pakistan (AKCS-P), in partnership with the Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA). From in-depth investigations and assessments of the sections featuring the most wear and tear, a thorough restoration plan was devised and subsequently executed. Rahatullah, a conservator, retouching a fresco panel, part of the picture wall. Zeina Naseer 'In Pakistan, conservation projects usually overlook the vital role of science in heritage preservation,' states Zeina Naseer, an AKCS-P Conservation Scientist. 'The conservation of the picture wall, however, has heavily relied on utilizing innovations and technologies in conservation science. Good conservation practice demands a harmonious union of science and artistry. It compels us to recognize that the master artisans of the past, like those who created the picture wall, were not only artists, but also scientists, engineers, and architects. Today, the duty of the conservator is not just to preserve their legacy but also to revive that lost wisdom.' Zeina Naseer, a Conservation Scientist and Project Lead at the AKCS-P, assessing the reconstruction of the parapet wall at the Lahore Fort. Umair Tariq Since the commencement of the picture wall's restoration, a truly groundbreaking project, the initiative is set to finally conclude towards the tail-end of this year, after seven laborious years. On the left: a fresco panel after conservation and reotuching. On the right: a fresco panel before conservation and reotuching. Zeina Naseer Working in tandem with artisans in the city, Tausif Khawaja, the CEO of the Aga Khan Cultural Services in the country, mentioned that the picture wall project couldn't have been executed without the inclusion of skilled craftspeople from local communities. 'Employing [artisans] gives them an opportunity to receive training which enables skill transfer to future generations. This helps to add to the skillset of both skilled and semi-skilled individuals, allowing them to become more economically mobile.' Young conservators consolidating a tile panel at the picture wall. Zeina Naseer Uncovering significant archaeological structures from the Sikh and British periods, discovered during the delicate excavation work right at the start of the project, these pieces are now part of a curated exhibit for the fort's visitors. Above: a panel made in cut brickwork and inlaid glazed tiles before reconstruction at the picture wall. Below: after restoration. Zeina Naseer 'Restoring the picture wall has been an intense and humbling emotionally, and intellectually. This wasn't just restoration, it was a test of intuition, patience, and a deep respect for heritage,' Wajahat Ali, the Director Conservation & Design Insights at the AKCS-P, reveals. Intricate glazed tile mosaics, filigree work and frescoes feature prominently across the 400-year-old picture wall at the Lahore Fort. getty 'We chose to take our time, even when there was pressure to go faster, because heritage deserves thoughtful care, not hurried short-cuts.'
BBC News
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
The Futurist: Site of former Birmingham cinema gets listed status
The site of a "pioneering" former cinema has been granted listed status. The Futurist, on John Bright Street in Birmingham, survived two world wars and was the first in the city to show "talkies", according to Historic England, these were films with recorded dialogue played in sync with pictures, as opposed to the silent films played without chiefs said the building, which is now a Caribbean restaurant, gave an early example of cinema architecture with brick, stone and terracotta dressings. "Given its age, The Futurist still looks fantastic," said Historic England's Midlands director Louise Brennan. "It has an imposing presence befitting of its pioneering role. "It survived attack from the Luftwaffe [in World War Two] and the redevelopment of Birmingham." The Futurist was designed in 1914 and eventually opened five years later as construction was delayed by World War One. It was then damaged in an air raid in the Birmingham Blitz of November 1940, before reopening again three years later. Later, the building was known as the Cannon Cinema, before it eventually closed in September 1991. In subsequent years, the building has been converted into an adult club and then a bar and restaurant. Listed buildings are those of special architectural or historical interest. The Futurist has been granted Grade II status by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on the advice of Historic Croft, director of the Twentieth Century Society which campaigns to save outstanding buildings, said it had been a "real survivor". "Since closing as a cinema it's been an adult nightclub, shisha lounge, and a seafood restaurant," she said. "But no matter the times, the value and versatility of 20th Century heritage endures. "It's wonderful to see this handsome old gent of a building now recognised with national listing." Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Wrexham's Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney help promote club globally
Five years ago, many tourists thinking of coming to the UK might not have even heard of Wrexham, let alone decided to thanks to the rapid rise of the north Wales city's football club - backed by Hollywood superstars - and an accompanying documentary series, people from across the globe are flocking to the sealed a third consecutive promotion on Saturday, and will play in the Championship next season - one division below the promised land of the Premier local council said the county has seen a 20% growth in visitor numbers year-on-year, largely due to the club's growing fans of actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have been making pilgrimages to Wrexham since they officially took over the club in this week, Reynolds revealed he was looking forward to "many more" years at the city after their latest victory. "While they're here [visitors] stay in the Wrexham area and look at other sites we've got like the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct World Heritage Site, Erddig Hall, Chirk Castle," said councillor Nigel Williams. "They realise what a beautiful place it is."The lead member for business, economy and tourism said he believed the football club and its hit television series, Welcome To Wrexham, has gained the attention of people from around the world who have visited, keen on finding out what else the area has to offer. Much of the international awareness of Wrexham comes from the FX documentary series Welcome to Wrexham, which is just about to start its fourth season showing life behind the scenes at the for a shirt at the Wrexham FC shop, Shane Lester from Australia said he had "never even heard of the place until we saw the documentary". "It's been really entertaining and because it gets shown after the results have happened, we haven't been following it like that, we're living it as we see it on TV." But the bulk of the recent tourists are from the USA and page of the club shop's visitor book has entries from Ontario, Virginia, Texas and and SallyAnne Andersson from California also credit the documentary for bringing them to said: "We've seen the show and figured we couldn't drive through without checking out the place. "I think they did a really good job on the show for Americans to teach them the game."The couple even went to watch Wrexham play Chelsea when the club toured the USA last summer, with Brett adding: "Phil Parkinson [Wrexham's manager] was right in front of us." With Wrexham's upcoming Championship season now on the horizon, Reynolds himself has described his time with the club as "one of the greatest experiences of my life".Writing on X earlier this week, Reynolds said: "This club is the sum of its supporters."Before we showed up they'd saved it multiple times. It's a temple as much as a football pitch. Wrexham—AFC has been one of the greatest experiences of my life."He added: "It's hard to avoid immediately starting work on next season - but important to take the moment in. Looking back and looking forward feels really good right now."I think I speak for [McElhenney] when I say, thank you for the greatest four years and here's to many more." Rob Clarke runs the Mad4Movies DVD and bookstore in the Butcher's Market, with the lifelong Wrexham fan making several appearances in the documentary. He said a hardcore of fans were there when the club was struggling through tough times but he was delighted new supporters are now along for the ride."The fact they're coming from all over the world is brilliant, the more the merrier," he said."They come in, put their money where their mouth is, come across to Wrexham, go in the club shop, spend money there - everyone's welcome. "It's brilliant to see."
