Manchester, the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, football and rock, is a dynamic city with a long history and an important culture. Manchester has earned many nicknames that testify to the influence of this particular city on the evolution of the modern world, as the starting point of social and political movements, technological discoveries and pop culture. A trip to this city is definitely worth it. Let’s look now at some of its top attractions to visit!
Imperial War Museum North
A stunning museum dedicated to us, human beings, and the sufferings of war and conflict, designed by renowned architect Daniel Libeskind. IWM North is a must-see for any visitor to the city. His exhibits cover all the great conflicts of the 20th century, using fascinating audiovisual media to narrate the human experience in a world torn apart by war. The museum building is itself a masterpiece.
Manchester Art Gallery
An impressive Victorian-era building and its modern extension, it houses one of the most important art collections in Great Britain. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to admire an impressive collection of pre-Raphaelite paintings, 37 Turner watercolors as well as 20th century British art by Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud and David Hockney.
The John Rylands Library
In 1890, the widow of one of Manchester’s most successful industrialists commissioned the creation of a public library in his memory. The result was an imposing masterpiece of Gothic architecture, a “book cathedral” that now houses high-value old printed books and rare manuscripts.
National Football Museum
The largest and best football museum in the world, gives visitors the opportunity to explore an impressive collection of football objects and archives. Don’t leave before taking part in the Football Plus experience, a series of interactive stations that allow you to test your skills in the world’s most popular sport, trying to score a penalty or commenting on a football match.
The Lowry
Known as the “Guggenheim of the North” thanks to its shimmering steel shell, this modern cultural center on the city’s waterfront houses two theaters, art galleries, restaurants, shops and bars. It hosts a permanent exhibition with more than 400 magnificent paintings and drawings by L.S. Lowry, a famous artist who captured scenes of everyday life, people and landscapes of northern industrial England, from which the cultural center took its name.
