Loading...
In 1915, San Francisco hosted the Panama-Pacific International Exposition to celebrate the completion of the Panama Canal and the city's resurrection after the 1906 earthquake. It was a temporary "jewel city" made of plaster and burlap.
Architect Bernard Maybeck designed the Palace of Fine Arts to look like a decaying Roman ruin, reflecting the sadness of passing time. While every other structure was demolished after the fair, Phoebe Apperson Hearst led a campaign to save the Palace because it was too beautiful to destroy.
By the 1960s, the original temporary materials were crumbling. The city completely demolished the structure and rebuilt it in permanent concrete, ensuring Maybeck's vision would stand forever.
The architecture is inspired by Roman and Greek ruins as sketched by Piranesi.
A peaceful escape in the Marina District.
A man-made lagoon surrounds the Rotunda.
One of the most photographed spots in SF.
Located at 3601 Lyon Street.
The massive central dome rises 162 feet. Stand directly in the center and look up to see the intricate coffered ceiling and the play of light.
Look at the top of the columns. The statues are "weeping women" with their backs turned, symbolizing the melancholy of life without art.
Bernard Maybeck designed the lagoon specifically to act as a mirror. The reflection is often clearer on the east side during sunset.
Frequently asked questions about the landmark.