The arcade is a city, a world in miniature . . .

To quote Walter Benjamin, 'These arcades, a recent invention of industrial luxury, are glass-roofed, marble-panelled corridors extending through whole blocks of buildings, whose owners have joined together for such enterprises. Lining both sides of the corridors, which get their light from above, are the most elegant shops, so that the arcade is a city, a world in miniature, in which customers will find everything they need' (From The Arcades Project' 1982).


Royal Arcade, Melbourne is one such arcade. Completed in May 1870, it was Melbourne's first arcade and the longest standing arcade in Australia. More of its history with historical photos: https://royalarcade.com.au/history/

[Joan Robillard]

Wonderful bw

[Babs]

This is my favourite arcade in Melbourne. I have lots of photos of that gorgeous ceiling.

[Lesley]

Superb! Very similar to our Great Western Arcade here in Birmingham

[Chris Cook]

Great b&w. I have been to the Royal Arcade when I visited Melbourne in 2019. Amazing place and fun to photograph.

[Graeme Stevens]

Great processing

[bkb in the city]

Beautiful shot

[Yao RL]

There type of arcade is most elegant than malls.

[Diana]

Wonderful capture and title, such a perfect choice of b/w.

[Susan Wakely]

Looks a great place to visit. The setting is suited to B&W.

[John Falconer]

Fabulous black and white shot.

[borof]

Great shot with the added explanations too

[Suzanne]

It is very beautiful. I walk through it every second day on my way to the pool. @onewing

[Suzanne]

I looked up Great Western Arcade and it is very similar. Same historical impulses, I guess. @tinley23

[Suzanne]

You visited just before the pandemic and Melbourne's lockdowns.
It's a different city at the moment, still in recovery.
@cdcook48

[Suzanne]

Thankyou.
@joansmor

[Suzanne]

Thankyou, although I didn't do too much to it really.
@graemestevens

[Suzanne]

Glad you liked it.
@bkbinthecity

[Suzanne]

It is a very elegant arcade, although at the moment, since the lockdowns, there are still empty shops.
@yaorenliu

[Suzanne]

Thankyou and appreciate your comments re b&W
@ludwigsdiana @wakelys @johnfalconer

[Suzanne]

THankyou. Walter Benjamin a particular interest of mine.
@borof

[Jacqueline]

Great capture and it works so well in b&w!

[Suzanne]

Thanks. I appreciate your comments
@jacqbb