Monuments to visit Belfast

In the north of Belfast, the famous prison of Crumlin Road Gaol is also known as HMP Belfast (in English: "Her Majesty's Prisons Belfast"). This prison was built from 1843 to 1845 by the famous English architect and engineer, Charles Lanyon (1813-1889), close to the court and connected to it by a tunnel, and its doors are open again since 2012, but this time for visitors. Visitors who are offered here a real immersion in this important prison in the history of Northern Ireland.

It is estimated that 25,000 prisoners, including political prisoners and members of the IRA during the Troubles, were interned there between 1845 and March 1998, when the prison was closed. The 1998 peace agreement allowed the release of political prisoners.Several Northern Ireland leaders have stayed there and it is now possible to take guided tours to understand the history of the place. Crumlin Road Gaol is today a place of memory of the political confrontations that bloodied Ulster and a real museum of prison life, with reconstructed cells, mannequins of prisoners, collections of shackles and keys, mug shots (anthropometric photographs) of prisoners .... The guided tour also passes by the terrible execution chamber of the prison. Chilling! Be careful, it is better to book a guided tour to be sure to have a place.

The City Hall is the city hall of Northern Ireland's capital city,and is certainly the most famous building in Belfast. It is amagnificent Edwardian building, completed in 1906, was erected to establish the grandeur of the city, with a 53m dome. The Renaissance-inspired building of white Portland stone has figures above the door celebrating the city's commerce and arts. The entrance hall is paved with marble and the dome inside is painted in the style of St Paul's Cathedral in London.

Famous university of the city, it is a beautiful building of dark red brick and yellow sandstone, with a cloister of neo-medieval style, inspired by the Tudor style. Built in 1849, this faculty is one of the most prestigious institutions in Great Britain. The Queen's Welcome Centre is a souvenir store and a well-documented tourist information center about Belfast and Northern Ireland. It is possible to enter the Lanyon Building to see the Great Hall and the Naughton Gallery, and walk in the gardens on the other side.

This clock tower was built between 1865 and 1870 by the Irish architect William Joseph Barre in memory of Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband (who died in 1862). It is 43 m high and contains a two-ton bell, as well as the statue of the Prince Consort visible on the west façade. The style is said to be of Gothic influence, both French and Italian. Located not far from Customs House and the River Lagan, the clock square was once famous for its prostitutes who waited for sailors at the end of the day.

Pavarotti made his debut there, Van Morrison recorded a live album in 1984 and Sarah Bernhardt, Orson Welles, Laurel and Hardy had already performed there long before... Grand Opera House, the largest theater in Northern Ireland, has been a fixture on the Belfast cultural scene since 1895. The building is a mixture of Victorian style with its red bricks and oriental influenced decorative elements with its minarets (English architect Frank Matcham). The theater hosts the greatest shows (ballets, operas, musicals ...).

Located below Cave Hill, Belfast Castle was built in 1870 by the third Marquess of Donegall in the style of the Scottish barons' houses. It also offers a splendid view on the city and the lake of Belfast by its height (100 m above the sea). The Shaftesburye family, thanks to a marriage, then inherited the site which was offered to the city in 1934. In Italian Renaissance style, it has a magnificent exterior spiral staircase where newlyweds now come to have their picture taken.

It is the seat of the government of Northern Ireland. This huge white building in neoclassical style was erected in 1932 according to the plans of Sir Arnold Thornely, who was knighted by George V for his architectural talents. The beautiful symmetry of the building and its six entrance columns beautifully dominate the vast, freely accessible park. Visits are possible to discover the entrails of this place with an eventful history, a pillar of reconciliation between Republicans and Protestants.

This is an example of a basic Georgian house built in 1774 by a charity. Known as the "poor house", it was intended to provide shelter for those in need. The children were trained in the trades of weaving and spinning, which provided labor for the city's industries (and food for the children...). Now elegantly restored, the house remains a home for the homeless, with organized events and lectures on the theme of trade and industry.

This imposing six-story sandstone building was built in sections between 1899 and 1902. It faces the City Hall and is almost as imposing as it is, with its domes, Corinthian half-pillar façade, pediments, sculptures, sphinxes and bronze dolphins... It was once a place to manage Scottish funds, which were invested in Belfast at the time in commerce and industry. Today, the building houses offices.

These two giant, impressive yellow cranes in Belfast harbor are part of the historic heritage of Northern Ireland's capital and are preserved as such. They have become a veritable symbol of its culture. It's impossible to miss "Samson & Goliath", as they're nicknamed, which are 106 and 96 meters high respectively, and date back to the early 1970s. Despite the closure of the city's shipbuilding yards, these cranes have been carefully preserved and mark the surrounding skyline.

This sandstone and granite building typical of Victorian public buildings opened as Ireland's first library in 1888. It has three floors with a grand staircase, a reading room on the ground floor and an exhibition gallery on the top floor. The library has an extensive archival collection of Northern Irish music and Ulster and Irish studies. Local and Irish newspapers dating back to the 17th century are also available for consultation. A quiet place to soak up the past.

This Victorian red brick covered market is the largest in Ireland. The original 1890 building was enlarged after it was bombed during World War II by the Germans. The entrance consists of three large Romanesque arches with inscriptions in Irish and Latin. Renovated in the 1990s, the market reopened in 1999. Since then it has been rated as one of the best markets in the UK. It brings together local producers and artisans from all communities. Concerts are also organized or evenings such as New Year's Eve. On Fridays, the market is made up of stalls selling second-hand books, antiques, second-hand clothes, fruit and vegetables and also a large selection of fish and seafood, all of which are fresh. On Saturdays, there is a nice selection of local cheeses, meats, fish and vegetables, often organically farmed. The Sunday market is a mix of the Friday and Saturday stalls. Delicious dishes cooked in front of you are also offered. It's a great place to have lunch on the go while listening to a local band. It is truly one of the most typical and warm experiences in Belfast. For the addresses, don't miss the Belfast BapCo, made of bread, bacon and sausages... In short, only fat, but it is very good and prepared in front of you! To ease your conscience afterwards, sip a fruity smoothie from Dabo Smoothies.