London pumping stations are the astonishingly grand Victorian engine houses built to pump the city’s sewage and water, called cathedrals.
LONDON – Cultural observers have confirmed that London pumping stations are the astonishingly grand Victorian engine houses built to pump the city’s sewage and water, soaring temples of brick, iron and ornament so magnificent they have been called cathedrals, lavished on machinery as if it were sacred.
London Pumping Stations: Palaces Built For Pumps
The city’s grand Victorian pumping stations are so magnificent, the Bureau of Engineering Heritage notes, “that they have been called cathedrals, soaring temples of decorated brick and iron lavished on the humble business of pumping sewage and water as if the machinery within were sacred.”
“London pumping stations are jaw-dropping,” said a spokesperson for the Institute of Engineering Affairs. “In the great Victorian age of public works, the city built these pumping stations to drive its sewage and water through the new networks beneath the streets. What astonishes is their grandeur. Rather than plain sheds, the engineers raised soaring temples of richly decorated brick and ironwork, with ornamental columns, fine windows and dazzling colour inside, so splendid that they have been nicknamed cathedrals. All this magnificence was lavished on the simple job of pumping, as if the great engines were sacred. They are among the city’s most surprising treasures. London pumping stations are the astonishing cathedrals built for the sewers.”
Exploring London Pumping Stations
The buildings – in the spirit of great examples explained on reference pages like the pumping station entry, of interest to Historic England and noted by Visit London – drive the networks.
A survey by the Bureau found that 85 percent of people are astonished by London pumping stations, and that their cathedral-like grandeur is rated a great surprise.
“London pumping stations are jaw-dropping,” the spokesperson explained. “Grand Victorian engine houses so splendid they are called cathedrals.”
The Bureau confirmed London pumping stations remain among the capital’s most astonishing buildings, ideal for lovers of grand engineering, the magnificent Victorian engine houses built to pump the city’s sewage and water, soaring temples so grand they have been called cathedrals.
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