What you see before you is Liverpool's Royal Liver Building! Built a little over a hundred years ago, this is an architectural gem standing proudly along the waterfront, symbolizing the city's maritime heritage and commercial prowess. Step back and you will see that it is right beside the Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool Building. Together they formed an impressive welcome for anyone arriving by sea.The beautiful architecture has earned these three buildings the nickname the ‘Three Graces’. It is assumed the name was derived from the mythological Greek 'Three Graces', who were the goddesses of charm, beauty and creativity. Look up at the Liver Building. It was one of the world’s first reinforced concrete skyscrapers, and for a time it was the tallest building in Britain. Atop its twin towers perch two huge copper birds – the famous Liver Birds, which have become the emblem of Liverpool. The Liver bird is mythical and has been the symbol of Liverpool for over eight hundred years. It even appears on the city’s official coat of arms. These two birds on the building are named Bertie and Bella. The former watches over the city, keeping an eye on the people or, as cheeky locals put it, “looking to see if the pubs are open”! The latter faces out to sea to help guide sailors home. According to folklore, the Liver Birds are chained down; if they were ever to fly away, the entire city would collapse or the River Mersey would overflow, spelling doom for Liverpool​. So far, so good – the birds remain steadfast, and Liverpool thrives under their guard. You can also spot the giant clock faces on the Liver Building; when built, they were larger than even Big Ben’s – an apt metaphor for Liverpool’s outsized ambitions. The Royal Liver Building unlocked its doors to the public for the first time in its 100+ year history during the UK Heritage Open Days a few years ago. This marked the launch of Royal Liver Building 360, a tower tour offering an audio-visual experience. From the fifteenth-floor viewing platform, visitors can enjoy panoramic views across Liverpool. I would suggest booking in advance if you want to experience it. Next to the Liver Building is the Cunard Building, with a more Italian Renaissance palazzo style facade, once headquarters of the Cunard Steamship Line. This is where passengers and mail were managed for grand ocean liners. During the early twentieth century, thousands of emigrants passed through Liverpool bound for America, and many likely had their documents processed in that very building. Today it’s an office building, but it retains its grandeur. The third Grace, with its elegant dome, is the Port of Liverpool Building. Its ornate Edwardian Baroque style with all limestone, columns, and curves)was meant to celebrate Liverpool’s status as the gateway of the British Empire. From Pier Head, our next destination is a short walk inland. We’ll head to the city’s civic and commercial core now. Look for the road called Water Street, near the Port Building and walk up it away from the river. In a few minutes, Water Street becomes Castle Street, and you’ll see an elegant domed structure at the top of the road. That’s Liverpool Town Hall – our next stop