Sydney City Buildings 1788-1821
Australia is a young state. The history of this country goes back a little over 200 years. While many European and Asian countries admired the centuries-old monuments, Australia was just beginning to create them. The most popular work of art today is the Opera House. Of course, it delights with its size, geographical location, as well as an interesting engineering solution for the construction of a shell-shaped frame. But few people know about the first developments in Sydney. Sydney is located at Port Jackson Harbor. This city has an advantageous geographical position and a hot climate. Flora and fauna are different from those familiar to Europeans. Therefore, the first years were difficult for the colonists, and the main goal was survival. Only after the increase in the population, acclimatization and the appearance of the necessary materials for construction, the settlers began to think about creating not only practical, but also beautiful buildings. The construction boom comes during the reign of Governor Lachlan Macquarie. In his era, Francis Greenway, an architect exiled from Great Britain to hard labor, had the opportunity to prove himself. Many of his masterpieces have survived to this day. Church of st. Matthew and St. James, which were made in the Georgian style, continue to delight not only tourists, but also Australians with their appearance. Also preserved are the barracks, hospitals and the famous lighthouse, which is located near the famous Opera Theater. The buildings of the later Greenway period will take on the features of the Victorian style, which will be brought in by settlers of the later period. Unfortunately, not everything has survived to this day. Some of it was rebuilt because the governor did not like it, but in general, walking around Sydney you can see a building from the 19th century in the center of the metropolis. Australians are very careful about preserving the historical memory of their state. We can only guess why. Possibly is connected with the peculiarities of upbringing, maybe because of the “peculiar” past, or because the history of the state is very small. Perhaps all these theories have the right to exist, but what can be said unequivocally is that the Australians cherish all architectural monuments and try to increase their historical heritage.