City Hall in Belfast
Belfast City Hall, Belfast, BT1 5GS
Description:
Visitors enter the town hall through the impressive stone gate and marble-lined lobby. There are four types of marble, three from Italy and one from Greece. The large stained glass windows, which are located along the stairs, depict the most significant city events - from the signing of the charter by King James I in 1613 to the granting of Belfast administrative district status in 1899. On the ground floor is a bronze statue of the last Earl of Belfast, Frederick Richard Chichester. Known for his work promoting the arts in Belfast, he is pictured with a book in his left hand.
The main dome rises to a height of about 53 meters. Below it is the so-called Whispering Gallery, similar to the one in St. Paul's Cathedral in London. It got its name because of the architectural features that allow you to hear everything said by a whisper at the opposite wall. Above the gallery is a ring of stained glass depicting zodiac signs.
In the building of the town hall there is a meeting room of the city council. The 51-member council meets here on the first working day of each month. The council hall features many portraits of prominent public and political figures such as King Edward VII, Earl of Shaftesbury and Sir Edward Harland.