Belfast is one of the most controversial cities in Western Europe. Despite the fact that it is located in a prosperous and developed country, such passions raged here throughout the 20th century that in Great Britain this period is called "The Troubles" (big problems). But cruel confrontations and conflicts seem to be in the past, and only the famous Walls of the World reminds of turbulent times.
Today Belfast is the gateway to the rural landscape of Northern Ireland. The city itself, after the settlement of contradictions, gradually turned into an attractive tourist center. There are picturesque temples and palaces, interesting museums, theaters, the famous "Big Fish" and many other iconic places.
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What to see and where to go in Belfast?
The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.
Town hall
The town hall was built in the classical Renaissance style at the beginning of the 19th century. Its facades are decorated with columns and "Roman" porticoes, along the edges are symmetrical towers. The central copper dome complements the architectural appearance of the grandiose structure. The facade and lobbies of the building are decorated with marble. The stained glass windows along the staircase depict the most significant events in the history of Ireland.
Parliament building Stormont
A neoclassical building of strict architecture, built in 1932 for the Parliament of Northern Ireland. It is distinguished by its simplicity of forms, the laconicism of the facade and the absence of pretentious decorative details. The legislature was dissolved in the 60s, and since then the British administration has been sitting in Stormont. At the moment, free access to the territory of the former parliament building is impossible.
Belfast Castle
An elegant castle in the "Norman" style, built at the end of the 19th century. In the XII century, there was indeed an ancient castle in this place, but it turned into ruins. Even before the period of the Anglo-Norman conquests, there were settlements of the ancient Celts on the site of Belfast Castle. The modern building is surrounded by the Cat Garden, which contains several sculptures of these amazing animals.
Crumlin Road Prison
The prison functioned in the period 1845-1996. Prisoners sentenced to death were kept here. After the closure, the prison began to operate as a museum. It is believed that ghosts live on the territory of Crumlin Road, sometimes they are even searched for with the help of special equipment. During the tour, visitors are shown grim corridors, eerie solitary confinement cells and a room for executions.
St. George's Market
The market is considered one of the best in the UK. It began its work at the end of the 19th century and since then has gained fame as a place where you can buy products of the best quality. The market has a huge range of locally produced goods, and on Saturdays you can buy souvenirs and delicacies from different parts of the world. On Sunday, the market space turns into an exhibition of paintings and handicrafts by local artisans.
Queens University
State educational institution founded in the 19th century. The main building of the University is located in the picturesque building of Lannion (the architect of the building) on University Road. The structure is built of red bricks in a mixed style. On the facade you can see elements of Art Nouveau and Neo-Gothic. The wide stained glass windows, which are more typical for Catholic churches than for civil buildings, look especially elegant.
Titanic-Belfast
The infamous transatlantic liner Titanic was built at the Belfast shipyards. Now on this site is the modern building of the Titanic-Belfast Museum-Monument. The structure was built by 2012 - just in time for the 100th anniversary of the shipwreck. The museum exposition is devoted to the history of shipbuilding in Belfast, as well as all aspects related to the creation, navigation and sinking of the Titanic.
Nomadic and Caroline
Nomadik is a 1911 ship that carried first and second class passengers aboard the Titanic. Until 2006, it was used in Paris as a floating restaurant, but then it was bought back in Belfast. Caroline is a 1914 cruise ship that was used as the administrative center of the British Royal Navy during the First and Second World Wars. Both ships are now open to visitors and operate as museums.
Ulster Museum
The largest museum in Northern Ireland, covering an area of 8 thousand square meters. It was formed under the urban natural history society in the 19th century. The Ulster Museum exhibits a natural science collection that tells about the biological, ethnographic and archaeological development of the territory in which Ireland is located. Also in the museum there are many objects of applied art.
Linen Hall Library
The history of the library began in the 18th century. Since then, the book collection has changed location several times until it settled in a house on the waterfront. The library fund is the largest in Ireland, it contains many rare editions and rare copies. In the last few years, the building has been reconstructed and the library funds have been substantially replenished.
Waterfront hall
Multifunctional center, opened in 1997. Its main hall is designed for 2250 people, the small hall - for 380. Theatrical performances, musicals, operas, concerts, holiday shows are often given on the territory of the Waterfront Hall. The sites are also used for music competitions to find talent. The building has several bars and a restaurant where visitors can get in between performances.
The grand opera
The opera house was built by F. Mitchum at the beginning of the 20th century. The architect was fond of oriental styles in construction, so the opera building turned out to be very unusual and stand out against the general background. In the period 1949-1970, the city cinema was located here. The opera stage was reopened after reconstruction in 1980. In 2006, another reconstruction was carried out, as a result of which a small hall appeared, and the theater's capacity increased.
Lyric theater
The modern building of the theater was erected by the famous masters D. Toomey and S. O'Donnell. The architectural style of the building is a mixture of postmodern and futuristic elements. The new building was built on the site of the old theater in 2011. In 2012, Queen Elizabeth II visited the institution to shake hands with the former commander of the Irish Republican Army (IRA).
St. Anne's Cathedral
Temple of the XIX-XX centuries, built with a reference to the medieval Romanesque style. Construction lasted more than 80 years, the cathedral was opened only in 1981. The floor of the building is covered with black and white marble, the pillars of the nave are decorated with carvings depicting Belfast's past, the baptistery of the cathedral is lined with elaborate colored glass mosaics, on the creation of which the craftsmen worked for seven years.
Church of St. Malachy
The temple is one of the most revered in Northern Ireland. It is one of the three main churches in the region. The building was erected in 1866. The original pulpit, altar and window frames were made of Irish oak, but over time the dilapidated wood was replaced by marble and other more durable materials. The church facade is built of red bricks. As it turned out later, the brick was not a very strong material, so the walls are gradually collapsing.
Big fish
The sculpture is a symbol of Belfast, created by master D. Kindness in 1999. In his unusual creation, the sculptor wanted to capture the history of the city. The body of a 10-meter fish is lined with ceramic tiles, on which brief historical information about various events is applied. It is believed that a message to future generations is kept inside the structure. Big Fish is one of Belfast's most popular attractions.
Albert Memorial Clock
The watch dial is located on the Albert Tower, built by order of Queen Victoria in the second half of the 19th century. The building is a memorial dedicated to Her Majesty's husband, Prince Albert. The design of the dial of the tower clock is exactly reminiscent of London's Big Ben. Due to the unstable foundation, the tower over time tilted slightly to the side like the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Walls of the world
The history of the confrontation between the British and the Irish began several centuries ago. More than once, disagreements have spilled over into local wars and conflicts. In the 20th century, real wars were fought on the streets of Belfast, Derry and some other cities, so in the 70s. the authorities were forced to build a wall to separate the Irish from the Scottish and English quarters. The wall is decorated with numerous graffiti depicting scenes of the Irish struggle for independence.
Botanical Garden
The garden is located in the south of Belfast, it was founded in the 30s. XIX century as a result of the increased public interest in botany. At first, exclusively exotic plants were planted in it, but gradually species from other climatic zones appeared. Nowadays, the garden is a popular venue for festivals, concerts and other social events. Students like to relax here, as the university is located nearby.
Cave Hill Country Park
A picturesque natural park located on the slopes of Cave Hill. Some of its territories are protected areas, so the passage of tourists is limited. There are many hiking trails in the public area of the park, perfect for long walks and enjoying the beauty of nature. From the summit of Cave Hill, you can admire the panoramic view of Belfast. Entrance to the territory of the Country Park is free.
