Ranelagh Gardens Rotunda, London. Opened in 1742 and demolished in 1805, the building hosted balls and concerts and was generally a fashionable place to be seen. In the centre is an enormous fireplace, which kept the building warm during winter.

Comments

1. Bede_the_Venerable says

   The painting is by Canaletto, the famous Venetian artist who painted many views of his native city and England during the eighteenth century. His characteristic warm style is unmistakable.

2. goharvorgohome says

   Well now I’m sad 🙁

3. WaldenFont says

   YSK that 18th and 19th century architectural pictures are usually populated by 3ft tall people, to make it look grander.

   Another example: The swinging saloon of the SS Bessemer. Drawing vs Reality

4. algebramclain says

   My grandma took us here to feed the ducks. There was an old white metal popcorn machine that dumped the popcorn into your cone-shaped cup, and usually extra popcorn would spill onto the floor, and the more aggressive ducks would already be fighting over it.

   Or maybe I’m thinking of a park in Detroit.

5. Montana4th says

   Looks like it would be impressive still today

6. angie9942 says

   Do we know why it was demolished? Just a little over 60 years after it was built…it’s so grand…

7. cgyguy81 says

   Where was this located?