James Tucker in Cov

Wherein I make Birmingham look like a refined European city. To its credit, Birmingham did an awful lot of building during its prosperity, especially during the late victorian period when Joseph Chamberlain was perhaps the most progressive mayor in the UK. To the left is the cathedral, which was built as a church and upgraded much later, when Birmingham was made its own Bishopric. The square around it (right) is probably the most 'old-world' view in the city, but looks are deceiving. Behind those buildings is the 'Gun Quarter', home of dozens of arms manufacturers in sprawling factories-- some of which are still there. Also, the kids at the bus shelter were engaged in some kind of gang war along the entire edge of the Cathedral Close. The huge Council House (a view of the side, left) which is now a pretty good museum and art gallery, is next to the City Hall (sadly under renovation), home to the country's biggest pipe organ. The Council House was damaged in the war, but most of the exhibits had been moved out by then. The stores on the right are a good example of the sort of architecture that can still be found in the commercial areas of the city-- there may be plenty of concrete boxes from the 60s along these streets, but more of these survive than we give credit for. Not are there some gracious old piles still around, but all of the buildings in this post are in a large downtown pedestrian zone that includes the main shopping areas as well as the cathedral and city government buildings. Which is nice. I have no idea what the building to the left is for, but it is in a corner of the huge public square at the front of the Council House. And I like it. [Update- Apparently it's the old Post Office building. Thanks!]