Opened in 1854, St George’s Hall turns 170 this year and if the Grade I listed building could speak it would certainly have some tales to tell. The Neoclassical landmark has welcomed future kings, had a giant fall asleep in its historic hall, heralded truth and justice for The 97 and been transformed into Gotham City for the filming of Batman.
Standing opposite Lime Street Station, it is the first thing most people see when they arrive in Liverpool. Indeed, one of the reasons construction began back in 1841 was to impress visitors as the merchant city thrived as a global port.
The city will hold the SGH170 Festival from August until September to celebrate the 170-year anniversary, when Culture Liverpool will invite a host of Liverpool’s most talented performers into St George’s Hall's iconic spaces.
Here at LiverpoolWorld we have trawled through the archive to pick out 19 fantastic photos that help bring the long history of St George's Hall to life.
9. 170 years of St George’s Hall
Liverpool fans wait for the victorious players to emerge outside the Picton Library, with St George's Hall and Lime Street in background during the 1974 FA Cup Victory Parade after winning the final against Newcastle United 3-0. | Liverpool FC via Getty Images
10. 170 years of St George’s Hall
St George's Hall, St John's Gardens and Lime Street Railway Station in 1980. | English Heritage/Heritage Images/Getty Images
11. 170 years of St George’s Hall
George Harrison fans queue to sign books of condolence in St George's Hall during a memorial service for former Beatle George Harrison, in December 2001. More than 1000 people held a one-minute silence in respect for the late Beatle guitarist. Harrison died in Los Angeles after a long battle with cancer. | PAUL BARKER/AFP via Getty Images
12. 170 years of St George’s Hall
Former Beatle Ringo Starr (2L) and former Eurythmics frontman Dave Stewart (L) perform on the roof of St Georges Hall in 2008 to launch the city's year as European Capital of Culture. | PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images