If you stand at the Pier Head and gaze up, you’re not just looking at buildings—you’re staring into the very heartbeat of Liverpool. Known around the world as The Three Graces, these three architectural legends—the Royal Liver Building, the Cunard Building, and the Port of Liverpool Building—have been defining the city’s spirit for over a century.

For anyone from anywhere, even a visitor from Dhaka or Chittagong, these Graces tell the story of a city that thrives on the sea, on trade, and on dreams bigger than the tallest skyscraper in Gulshan.

1. The Royal Liver Building: Guardian of the City

The most famous of the trio, completed in 1911, was one of the first buildings in the world made with reinforced concrete—basically the steel-and-concrete magic that makes skyscrapers possible today.

The Legend: Atop its two clock towers sit the Liver Birds, Bertie and Bella. Rumor has it that if these birds ever fly away, Liverpool itself will vanish! Think of them like the majestic rooster of a Bangladeshi village, signaling the start of a new day—but way grander, and perched hundreds of feet above the ground.

Fun Fact: Bella looks out to sea, keeping sailors safe like a guardian of the Bay of Bengal might watch over incoming boats. Bertie gazes into the city, making sure the pubs are still alive with laughter (and maybe checking if the tea stalls are open!).

2. The Cunard Building: Spirit of Ocean Travel

Right in the middle sits the Cunard Building, once the headquarters of the legendary Cunard Steamship Line. Its design was inspired by an Italian Renaissance palace—but the vibe is universal: the awe you feel is the same as stepping into Ahsan Manzil in Dhaka or Lalbagh Fort in Old Dhaka, where every corner whispers stories of grandeur.

The History: This building was the “waiting room of the world.” Thousands queued here for tickets on ships heading to New York, Canada, and beyond. Imagine your grandfather lining up for a ticket to Europe, but instead of rickshaw pullers, you had luxury ocean liners waiting.

Today: The building houses the British Music Experience, proving that Liverpool’s soul is as much about rhythm as it is about sails—like a Dhaka evening where the call to prayer and the sound of tabla coexist in harmony.

3. The Port of Liverpool Building: The Crown Jewel

The oldest of the three (completed in 1907), this building is all ornate domes and marble staircases, looking like a palace straight out of a fairy tale—or perhaps the stately rooms of a Bangladeshi zamindar mansion.

The Detail: Look closely, and you’ll see maritime symbols—anchors, sea serpents, shells—like a story carved in stone about the city’s life on the water.

The Pride: Built to showcase Liverpool as the “Second City of the Empire,” its interior is a feast for the eyes, with white marble and grand staircases. It’s the kind of place where even the air feels rich with history.

Why They Matter Today

The Three Graces aren’t just buildings—they’re a reminder of journeys, of sailors from the Bay of Bengal to the Atlantic, of dreams carried across oceans. They stand like wise elders, watching over Liverpool and saying, “We remember where we came from, and we look ahead with hope.”