【利物浦】The Three Graces @ il Giardino Romantico

Take a good look at the azure blue sky in thesse photos. I remember having already taken photos of the Three Graces, but then felt compelled into going back on this bright sunny day, because I knew they would turn out to be amazing!

好好的看看這篇文章所附上的圖片中，那藍到不行的天空！記得我在出門拍這系列照片之前，我其實早就拍了一組。不過這天看到天藍成這個樣子，就所幸再出門重拍一組回來。不然就白白浪費的這樣的好天氣！

The Three Graces are three historical buildings at the site of the Pier Head. These three buildings, namely, are Port of Liverpool Building, Cunard Building, and Royal Liver Building.

碼頭這邊一共有三棟歷史性的建築物。這三棟分別是：Port of Liverpool Building[碼頭大樓]、Cunard Building [卡納大樓]以及Royal Liver Building[皇家利物大樓]。(以上名稱皆是天仙亂翻的，並非官方譯名...)

Port of Liverpool Building

The building was constructed from 1903 to 1907. It is now grade II of listed buildings. Designed in Edwardian Baroque style, it is noted for its ornamental details. The building was partially destroyed by the Blitz in WWII. Restoration of the building began in 2005, and have only just completed in 2009. It may possibly open to public soon.

這棟於1903至1907年完工。目前列為二級歷史性建築物。外觀採用愛德華巴洛克隔的設計並以華麗以及精緻的建築裝飾聞名。第二次世界大戰中德軍的空襲造成局部毀損。不過2005年開始重建工程，並於2009年完工。近日內也將可能開放給大眾入內參觀。

The Royal Liver Building is a Grade I of listed buildings. The most notable feature of the building is the two liverbirds sitting atop the two towers. The tale goes, the one looking out at the port is the female, who makes sure that all the ships arrive at port safe and sound; the one looking into the city is the male, who is keeping an eye on the pubs in town, making sure they are open. Legend also has it, that if these two liverbirds fly away, Liverpool will cease to exist.

這棟大樓屬一級歷史性建築物。而最醒目的特色當然是在建築物上兩個塔上的兩隻利物鳥。傳說中，向外看的那一隻是母的。母鳥俯瞰著港口，確保船隻平安到港。而向著市區的那一隻則是公的。他望著市區內，確保著城內的pub都有按時營業。還有另外一個說法是，這兩隻鳥飛走的那一天，利物浦將會從此消失。

Cunard Building was constructed in 1914 to 1916. Like the Port of Liverpool Building, it is Grade II of listed buildings. It used to be the home of the Cunard Line, but today, it is home to various public and private sector organisations.

卡納大樓建於1914至1916。就像碼頭大樓一樣，這一棟也是二級歷史建築物。原本是卡納海線公司的所在地。不過今天，他以開放承租給各種公家以及私人機關使用。

These three historical buildings make up UNESCO world heritage site of the Pier Head. Across from these gorgeous landmarks of Liverpool, sits the new Mersey Ferry terminal, where you can board the ferry and take a tour along the Mersey River.

這三棟建築物歸屬於UNESCO世界遺產。在這三棟分別具有不同特色的建築物對面，就是剛成立不久的Mersey渡輪站。想要搭船遊Mersey河，了解更多關於港口對利物浦的歷史，可以到這裡買票上船。