2022 Palace of Fine Arts Express Priority Stamps

During the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition, a series of grand buildings were constructed, designed to evoke the glory of ancient Rome. Architect Bernard Maybeck envisioned these structures gradually decaying into elegant “ruins,” believing every great city deserved a touch of antiquity. Yet one masterpiece defied time — the Palace of Fine Arts. Though restored and rebuilt multiple times, it still stands today as one of San Francisco’s most iconic landmarks.

The Palace of Fine Arts features a soaring 162-foot-tall open rotunda, flanked by a tranquil lagoon on one side and an exhibition hall on the other. Its towering columns and graceful archways lend it a dreamlike quality, as if taken from the set of a fantasy film — in fact, it has appeared in several movies and remains a sought-after venue for both public and private events.

Originally built to showcase paintings and other works during the exposition, the Palace later served a variety of practical roles, including storing World War II military vehicles and housing limousines for visiting United Nations dignitaries.

Conceived as a peaceful retreat from the bustling fairgrounds, the Palace of Fine Arts continues to offer visitors a sense of serenity and wonder — a timeless monument where art, history, and imagination meet.