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    Tourist Attractions in Belfast

    The most interesting tourist attractions places in Belfast. Photos and a brief description.

    Belfast
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    About Belfast

    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 XX century that in the UK this period is called “The Troubles” (big problems). But violent confrontations and conflicts seem to be in the past, and only the famous Walls of the World remind of turbulent times.

    Today Belfast is the gateway to the rural landscapes of Northern Ireland. After the settlement of the contradictions, the city itself 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.

    Top Tourist Attractions in Belfast

    Town Hall

    The town hall was built in the classical Renaissance style at the beginning of the XIX century. Its facades are decorated with columns and "Roman" porticos, symmetrical towers are located along the edges. The central copper dome complements the architectural appearance of the grandiose structure. The facade and lobby of the building are decorated with marble. The stained glass windows along the staircase depict the most significant events in the history of Ireland.

    Belfast Town Hall
    Stormont Parliament Building

    Stormont Parliament Building

    Neoclassical building of strict architecture, built in 1932 for the Parliament of Northern Ireland. It is distinguished by the simplicity of forms, the laconicity of the facade and the absence of pretentious decorative details. The legislative body was dissolved in the 60s, since then the British administration has been sitting in Stormont. At the moment, free access to the territory of the former parliament building is not possible.

    Belfast Castle

    An elegant castle in the "Norman" style, built at the end of the XIX 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 ancient Celts on the site of Belfast Castle. The modern structure is surrounded by a Cat garden, in which several sculptures of these amazing animals are installed.

    Belfast Castle
    Crumlin Road Prison

    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 work as a museum. It is believed that ghosts live on the territory of Crumlin Road, sometimes they are even searched with the help of special equipment. During the tour, visitors are shown gloomy corridors, creepy solitary cells and a room for the execution of a death sentence.

    St. George's Market

    The market is considered one of the best in the UK. It began its work at the end of the XIX century and since then has gained fame as a place where you can buy the best quality products. The market offers a huge range of locally produced goods, 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 crafts by local artisans.

    St. George's Market
    Queens University

    Queens University

    A state educational institution founded in the XIX century. The main building of the University is located in the picturesque building of Lanyon (the architect of the building) on University Road. The structure is built of red brick in a mixed style. On the facade you can see elements of Art Nouveau and Neo-Gothic. Wide stained-glass windows, more typical of Catholic churches than for civilian buildings, look especially elegant.

    Titanic-Belfast

    The infamous transatlantic liner Titanic was built in the shipyards of Belfast. Now the modern building of the Titanic-Belfast Memorial Museum is located on this site. The structure was built by 2012 – just in time for the 100th anniversary of the shipwreck. The museum exposition is dedicated to the history of shipbuilding in Belfast, as well as all aspects related to the creation, sailing and death of the Titanic.

    Titanic-Belfast
    Nomadic and Caroline

    Nomadic and Caroline

    Nomadic is a 1911 ship that carried out the delivery of first and second class passengers on board the Titanic. Until 2006, it was used in Paris as a floating restaurant, but then it was bought back to 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. Now both ships are open to visitors and operate as museums.

    Ulster Museum

    The largest museum in Northern Ireland, covering an area of 8 thousand m2. It was formed at the city Society of Natural History in the XIX century. The Ulster Museum exhibits a natural science collection that tells about the biological, ethnographic and archaeological development of the territory on which Ireland is located. There are also many objects of applied art in the museum.

    Ulster Museum
    Linen Hall Library

    Linen Hall Library

    The history of the library began in the XVIII century. Since then, the book collection has changed its location several times until it settled in a house on the embankment. The library's collection is the largest in Ireland, it contains many rare publications and rare copies. In the last few years, the building has been reconstructed and the library funds have been significantly replenished.

    Waterfront Hall

    Multifunctional center, opened in 1997. Its main hall is designed for 2,250 people, the small hall – for 380. Theatrical performances, musicals, operas, concerts, holiday shows are often given on the territory of the Waterfront Hall. The venues are also used for music competitions to find talent. There are several bars and a restaurant in the building, where visitors can get in between performances.

    Waterfront Hall
    Grand Opera

    Grand Opera

    The opera house was built by F. Mitcham at the beginning of the XX century. The architect was fond of oriental styles in construction, so the opera house turned out to be very unusual and stand out from the general background. In the period 1949-1970, the city cinema was located here. The opera stage started working again after reconstruction in 1980. In 2006, another reconstruction was carried out, as a result of which a small hall appeared, and the capacity of the theater increased.

    Lyric Theater

    The modern building of the theater was built according to the project of famous masters D. Tumi and Sh . 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).

    Lyric Theater
    St. Anne 's Cathedral

    St. Anne 's Cathedral

    The temple of the XIX-XX centuries, built with a reference to the medieval Romanesque style. The 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 the past of Belfast, the baptistery of the cathedral is overlaid with an artful mosaic of colored glass, on the creation of which the masters worked for seven years.

    St. Malachi 's Church

    St. Malachi 's Church

    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 decayed wood was replaced with marble and other, more durable materials. The church facade is built of red brick. As it turned out later, the brick was not a very durable material, so the walls are gradually being destroyed.

    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 the 10-meter fish is lined with ceramic tiles, which are marked with brief historical information about various events. It is believed that a message to future generations is stored inside the structure. Big Fish is one of Belfast's most popular attractions.

    Big fish
    Albert Memorial Clock

    Albert Memorial Clock

    The clock face is located on the Albert Tower, built by order of Queen Victoria in the second half of the XIX century. The structure is a memorial dedicated to Her Majesty's husband, Prince Albert. The design of the clock face of the tower clock exactly resembles London's Big Ben. Due to the unstable foundation, the tower eventually tilted slightly to the side like the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

    The Walls of the World

    The history of the confrontation between the British and the Irish began several centuries ago. More than once, disagreements have resulted in local wars and conflicts. In the XX century, real wars were waged 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 quarters from the Scottish and English ones. The wall is decorated with numerous graffiti depicting scenes of the Irish struggle for independence.

    The Walls of the World
    Botanical Garden

    Botanical Garden

    The garden is located in the south of Belfast, it was founded in the 30s of the XIX century as a result of increased public interest in botany. At first, only exotic plants were planted in it, but gradually species from other climatic zones appeared. Nowadays, the garden is a popular place for festivals, concerts and other social events. Students like to relax here, as the university is located nearby.

    Cave Hill Country Park

    A picturesque nature park located on the slopes of Cave Hill. Some of its territories are a protected area, so the passage of tourists is limited. In the public part of the park there are many hiking trails, quite suitable for long walks and enjoying the beauty of nature. From the top of Cave Hill you can admire the panorama of Belfast. The entrance to the territory of the Country Park is free.

    Cave Hill Country Park