The Triangular Council Chambers
Manchester Town Hall
Completed in 1887 and designed by the contemporary architect Alfred Waterhouse, Manchester Town Hall is considered to be a masterpiece in its own right.
What can you build on a triangle?
Standing 286 feet high, the Town Hall was fitted masterfully into a problematic triangular space of the City over looking Albert Square. Manchester had achieved city status in 1853, and wanted to display is civic dignity. Of the 136 designs submitted, this was not the best looking design, but given the location of the site it was by far the most practical.
The Thirteenth Century medieval Gothic styling of the Town Hall is audacious and is often used to tell the story of the city??s history. Externally, carved images representing important figures in Manchester??s history decorate the building, and the 280 feet high bell tower would not look out of place as part of any of the nations cathedrals.
The corridors are buzzing
Inside, the town hall is lavishly decorated with mosaic floors bearing the ??bees??, the symbol of industrial Manchester, and really demonstrates the genius of Waterhouse not only in the detailing of the exterior, but the internal style and decor. The Great Hall, with its famous murals by the celebrated Pre-Raphaelite painter Ford Madox Brown, is considered to be the masterpiece of the building and is designed in the style of a Flemish weaving hall.
Statues to mark science in Manchester
There are also important statues of two of the city??s most influential scientists, James Prescott Joule and John Dalton. Joule by Alfred Gilbert shows the scientist sitting cross-legged and leaning on one elbow while contemplating some small electrical apparatus. Dalton by Chantrey shows the chemist and physicist with some glass equipment at his feet.
Submitted by: Iain Patterson, 10 October 2003
