Posted on Aug 05, 2025 / Travel
The Royal Albert Hall has hosted performances for over 150 years and is still lit by the same gas lamps it used in the 19th century, though now updated for safety. Its iconic domed roof was originally feared to cause a "whispering gallery" effect, which was mitigated by installing "mushroom"-shaped acoustic diffusers. The Hall has hosted everything from boxing matches to Miss World contests and even sumo wrestling. During World War II, it stayed open despite the Blitz and even used sandbags to protect the organ. The massive pipe organ, once the largest in the world, contains over 9,900 pipes. Queen Elizabeth II visited the venue more than 100 times during her reign. It remains one of the few major venues in the UK that is entirely self-funded.
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