The Albert Memorial Clock Tower is a bell tower in the middle of Belfast’s Queen’s Square. An integral symbol of the Northern Irish city, the tower is said to have been erected in 1869 as a tribute to Prince Albert. Rather imposing, the tower has the particularity of leaning a little… A curiosity worth discovering!
The Albert Memorial Clock Tower – © Leonid Andronov
The bell tower was built in sandstone between 1865 and 1869 by Fitzpatrick Brothers. It was designed by WJ Barre, the architect who also designed the city’s famous Ulster Hall.
In a bold Italian-French Gothic style reminiscent of the Big Ben tower, the steeple is 35 metres high and features a statue of Prince Albert.
The bell itself weighs over 2 tonnes and was made by Belfast craftsman Francis Moore of High Street. Unfortunately, it was damaged by a bomb detonated by the Provisional Irish Republican Army on January 6, 1992.
The tower is leaning slightly due to foundation problems. Originally, the bell tower was built on wooden piles, driven into the rather marshy ground. That’s all it took to get the construction swinging!
Since then, the tower has been consolidated, but the inclination has remained. Since then, locals like to say that it’s a bit like their very own Leaning Tower of Pisa! In short, a building to be admired, if only to take a few amusing shots!
Adresse :
GPS :
3.38/5 (13 votes)
