Its Saint George's Day today. We are so proud! This guy slayed dragons apparently even though they didn't exist. In fact its doubtful that St George existed himself but he's the patron saint of Canada, Catalonia, England, Ethiopia, Georgia, Greece, Montenegro, Portugal, Serbia, the cities of Istanbul, Ljubljana and Moscow, as well as a wide range of professions, organisations and disease sufferers. Very impressive.

So St George's Hall is being re-opened today by Prince Charles and there will be much bell-ringing. This image of St George is in the window at the South end of the main hall.

ST GEORGE'S HALL : a Brief History

1. Designed by Harvey Lonsdale Elmes and completed by Charles Robert Cockerell St George’s Hall was built between 1842 and 1854 and was both a law court and venues for music festivals. Queen Victoria described it as ‘’worthy of ancient Athens’’ and Nickolaus Pevsner called it “the finest example of neo-classical architecture in the world�.

2. Fitted with the world’s first modern-air conditioning system and largest piped organ at the time, it hosted famous cultural events such as Charles Dickens’ world premiere reading of The Christmas Carol, as well as famous murder trials. The Great Hall has one of the largest barrel vaulted ceilings in the country plus a thirty thousand piece encaustic Minton tile floor. The Small Concert Room is considered the finest example of early Victorian design.

3. The Small Concert Room ceased to be fully operational after World War II and the courts closed in 1984.
4. Today’s re-opening marks the end of ten years of planning and five years of restoration. The £23m restoration of St George's Hall was led by the architects Purcell, Miller and Tritton. The project was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, European Regional Development Fund, The Trustees of St George's Hall and Liverpool City Council.

5. A Grade I listed building, St George’s Hall lies within Liverpool’s World Heritage site.

Week-long events:

Minton Tile Floor - April 23rd -29th
The 30,000 hand crafted tiled floor, last unveiled in 1997, will be on show Monday 4.00pm–7.30pm, Tuesday–Saturday 10am–7.30pm and Sunday 10am–5.00pm (last admission one hour before closing).

Liverpool 800 Son Et Lumière – 8.30pm and 9.30pm - April 23rd-29th - St John’s Gardens
Stunning large scale building projection on to rear of St George’s Hall will highlight Liverpool’s 800-year long history from receiving the charter from King John in 1207 through to modern day, set to narrative and music. Tickets from 08 Place. Box office: 0151 233 2008. Priced at £1.50 for concessions, £3.00 for adults, £7.00 for a family ticket (2 adults, 2 children under 12).

Performances in Small Concert Room
Tuesday 24th April 7.30pm. Liverpool Hope University Presents Joanna MacGregor playing Messiaen’s Vingt Regards. Box Office: 0151 291 3578

Thursday 26th April 7.30pm. Mark Simpson – BBC Young Musician/Composer of the Year 2006 accompanied by Ian Buckle. Tickets £15.00. Box Office: 0151 233 2008

Friday 27th April 7.30pm Rodewald Concert Society: Principal musicians from Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra perform works by Bach, Handel, Mozart and Brahms. Tickets £15.00. Box office 0151 233 2008.

NEW HERITAGE CENTRE

This will provide visitors with an exciting insight into St George’s Hall and its place in the city’s history. Throughout the centre, imaginative exhibitions, reconstructions and hand held tours vividly bring the hall alive. You can even follow in the steps of unfortunate prisoners as they make their way from the prison cell to the dock.

Other exciting features of the Heritage Centre include:

* the original South Entrance Hall on St John’s Lane - never before used by the public
* opportunities to visit the cells once used by prisoners awaiting trial
* the newly refurbished Criminal Court and Judge’s Robing Room
* glimpses of the unique ventilation system
* a Learning Suite for school parties
* A new viewing gallery for the Great Hall
* A dramatic new sculpture of St George slaying the dragon with a liver bird rising as a phoenix
* A Community Room entitled ‘World Heritage-Your Heritage’ for local groups to display exhibitions

World Heritage-Your Heritage’ - Forthcoming Exhibitions
23rd April–3rd June - The Access to Heritage Project.
A group of people with learning difficulties have been working with local artists to explore ways of making heritage more accessible. This exhibition showcases their work through film and sensory inter-active interpretation based on a banquet held in the building in 1857.

4th June–15th July - Seeing is Believing.
An exhibition featuring the stunning pictures of Liverpool buildings by 89 year old George Cross of Toxteth. This is a culmination of work by Liverpool Community Spirit; a multi faith group who work with diverse communities in south Liverpool and is an exploration and celebration of their build heritage.

Heritage Centre Opening Times (from Monday, 30th April)
Mondays closed. Tuesday–Saturday 10am–5pm. Sunday 1pm–5pm. Open Bank Holidays
Last admission one hour before closing.