Birmingham Hall of Memory

From the outset this building has a sense of solitude unlike any other in Birmingham. Despite the busy thoroughfare that encircles it from commuters the building has a great sense of foreboding that befits it’s purpose.
It is easy to think that this is just another old random building but as a place of remembrance and reverence for the actions of the brave who fought and died in both the first and second world wars it is truly a piece of brilliant architecture. Having visited other such sites in places like Edinburgh Castle I always find this place quite special. If you want to trace your history back to see how relatives in a local regiment served our country then you will feel the weight of so many as you look through the records.
The roll of honour for those that have fought and served in more modern wars adds that extra weight of mortality to your soul as you visit this beautiful place.

As I’m sure a large majority of people, I have regularly wandered past this building, never really having any intention to go in, despite my curiosity.
Last week though I decided to head on in for the first ever time. Being a History student at University, the hall of memory immediately appealed to me. In honour of those who have lost their lives fighting for this country in past wars, the hall offers a humbling atmosphere, for people like myself to silently pay their respects.
The haven for this fantastic opportunity is beautiful building, one definitely worthy of its interior and significance.
If you do make a visit, be sure to sign the visitors book and note down anything in particular you feel necessary after your look around.

I’d always walked past this stone dome on Centenary Square without much of a clue about what was inside it. My curiosity finally won out and I went inside for the first time last year.
It is a humbling place to visit and very peaceful. There is a large marble shrine in the centre, which holds a glass case containing the books of remembrance for the first and second World Wars. The name of every known Birmingham citizen who died fighting in those wars is listed in these books. There is also a Roll of Honour for those who have died in wars since. It is terribly sad. This beautiful building, with its stained glass, marble and bronze statues makes a fitting tribute.

The Hall of Memory is a poignant and beautiful building in the City Centre. It was built in the 1920’s and was built in memory of the servicemen who died in the First World War.
It is built as a stunning white building which is very small in comparison to it’s nearest neighbouring buildings which seem to dwarf it. This to me just adds to its charm because it stands out for its very smallness, and I think it’s definitely the best looking building in the area.
Arranged around the outside of the Hall of Memory are four bronze statues which represent the Army, Navy, Womens Services and Air Force. I find these statues extremely powerful because they are beautifully rendered and look so realistic that it’s easy to imagine the men and women that these figureheads represent.
The Hall of Memory is open to the public and is very humbling once inside. It has a hollow and reverent quality inside, it is a strange feeling similar to that quiet sensation when you walk into a church. It’s a very fitting tribute to the brave Birmingham people who lost their lives in the wars that have occured since the Great War.
I love the three panels inside and never tire of looking at them; they depict the calling-​up at the beginning of the War, the front line and the final ‘Return’ of the troops. The panels are very moving and there is an amazing attention to detail, as well as the obvious care that has gone into the creation of them. Both the panels and the exterior bronze statues were created by local Birmingham artists, which I think is a much better tribute that calling in an artist from London who had never set foot in the Midlands!
It’s free to visit the Hall of Memory and the building is open to the public for several hours each day, I always pop in when I am in Town because I think it’s such a lovely place and also to remember the people this Hall was built to honour.