And The Walls Came Tumbling Down: Restored Palace Of Fine Arts Revealed

After a renovation costing more than $20 million and taking several years, the glorious Palace of Fine Arts reopened this morning, to much fanfare, congratulations and rejoicing, plus snacks and peppy live music from Gaucho. Speakers included Park & Rec Commissioner Mark Buell, recent (Michela Alioto-Pier) and current (Mark Farrell) supervisors for District 2, and Donna Ewald Huggins, the dynamo behind the private-sector fundraising that secured the majority of the money. Go visit the swans, stroll among the lovely new plantings, revel in the ornate beauty, and feel the civic pride. Lots more pictures here.