Hollinwood Twins With Hollywood For The Eight Best Landmark Copies
ALONGSIDE the M60 motorway in Oldham, sits a copy of the famous Hollywood sign, this on advertising “HOLLINWOOD”.
Barman Derek Middleton, 25, works at the Bowling Green Inn, on nearby Manchester Road, and he tell the Manchester Evening News:
“The locals have been talking about it and they all think it’s great. But it’s not really like Hollywood here. It’s a bit dreary and a bit less glamorous, and we don’t get the weather. Manchester Road is the closest we get to Sunset Strip.”
Things to look out for for any wayward tourist, there.
But he should not be so quick to presume. Anorak recalls a youthful trip to St Mark’s Square and being in the company of a girl who asked a local: “Where’s St Mark’s Square?” He said that she was standing in it. Her reply: “What? This! No, really…”
Some copies of landmarks are better then the real thing. Anorak takes a look:
Blackpool Tower (Eiffel Tower)
The idea for the tower came when Blackpool Mayor John Bickerstaffe commissioned the design of a new landmark for the town after he visited the Great Paris Exhibition in 1889 and was impressed by the Eiffel Tower.
But this one is better:
The Ballroom floor measures 120 ft by 102 ft. It comprises 30,602 separate blocks of mahogany, oak and walnut.
When the BBC programme Antiques Roadshow was staged in the Tower in 1989, its experts were asked to give a valuation of the Silver Tower, but they would not hazard a guess.
And do you have to queue and deal with French umbrella hawkers? No.
Blackpool wins.
Marble Arch, London (Rome’s Arch of Constantine)
Rome’s Arch of Constantine was erected to commemorate Constantine I’s victory over Maxentius at the Battle of Milvian Bridge on October 28, 312.
In 1828, John Nash designed his copy for London. It now sits on one end of Oxford Street, a marker to remind Londoners to immediately turn left or right and so avoid the hideous thoroughfare and go about their business “the pretty way”.
Rome’s arch has no useful purpose. No triumphant armies will march through it – unless they are holidaying Germans.
London wins.
Leaning Tower of Pisa, Niles, USA.
A half-size replica of the leaning tower of Pissa (Italy), located in the city of Niles, Illinois. It was between 1931-34 as a water tower. It is structurally sound. Is Pisa’s leaning tower safe. No.
Illinois wins.
Travelodge, (St Louis Gateway Arch)
St Louis’ Gateway Arch replica occupies a site in Vandalia Illinois. It advertises a Travelodge. The St Louis Arch advertises a city on its knees and what once was.
Vandalia wins.
Aains World (Basilica de San Pietro)
At Aiins World, at South Korea’s Fantastic Studios, you can visit the Basilica de San Pietro in Vatican City, Paris and New York City.
Can you do that in a day and still eat a pet? No.
South Korea wins.
Statue of Liberty Richmond (Statue of Liberty NY)
Miss Liberty Monument in Chimborazo Park, Richmond, VA is dedicated to World War II veterans by Boy Scouts in 1950. You can touch it. There are no seagulls and no boat to get there.
Virginia wins.
Las Vegas (New York, Venice, Eiffel Tower, Ancient Egypt, Ye Olde Englande, Ancient Rome)
Can you get a loster meal deal served on a midget hooker at 1am in the morning at any of rthe orignal venues?
No.
Las Vegas wins.
Posted: 11th, August 2009 | In: Strange But True Comments (4) | TrackBack | Permalink
