Celebrating Belfast’s Iconic Skyline
I’m sure it will come as no surprise that my Belfast prints are some of the bestselling art prints on my shop. Belfast’s architecture is a real reflection of the city’s historic charm and vibrant culture, and capturing this essence in an art print was such a fun and interesting project. I learnt a lot about Belfast’s history, which I’d love to share with you!
For those of you who are looking for a piece of Belfast to bring home, or gift to someone who loves Belfast, I think my Belfast map or skyline makes the perfect choice. These Belfast posters offer a lovely reminder of this special city, and make thoughtful gifts, especially for students or graduates of Queen’s University who would love a keepsake of their achievements and student memories.
In this exploration of Belfast’s architectural history, I’ll delve into the story behind some of the landmarks featured in my Belfast prints, and talk a little bit about what makes them so special.
Key landmarks featured in my Belfast art prints
I’ve chosen each landmark featured in my Belfast prints carefully, hoping to reflect the character and history of Belfast in both art prints. From historic buildings to the more modern additions to Belfast’s skyline, let’s take a look at some of the most iconic places I’ve included.
Belfast city hall
Standing in the heart of the city, Belfast City Hall is a stunning example of Baroque Revival architecture, with it’s four corner towers and stunning copper dome. Belfast City Hall was commissioned as a celebration of Belfast’s newly appointed city status in 1888, designed by Alfred Bramwell Thomas and opened in 1906. It is a symbol of the growth and industrial importance of Belfast at the time, and remains as impressive today as it was when it was built.
Harland and Wolff Cranes
What is the Belfast skyline without the towering cranes Samson and Goliath? An enduring symbol of Belfast’s shipbuilding history, these cranes have become synonymous with Belfast and are instantly recognisable around the world. A bold and industrial addition to the skyline, the Harland and Wolff cranes capture the essence of Belfast’s industrial roots.
Queen’s University Belfast
Celebrated for it’s beautiful Gothic-style architecture and grand red brick facade, the Lanyon Building of Queen’s University is one of the most memorable buildings in Belfast. The architect Sir Charles Lanyon was inspired by Gothic and Tudor architecture, and strikes similarities to other important universities of the time, particularly Magdalen College of Oxford University. I especially wanted to include this piece of history in my Belfast prints so they could be an extra special gift to Queen’s University alumni and current students.
Ulster Hall
Ulster Hall has been an important cultural hub in Belfast since its opening in 1862, hosting acts from Charles Dickens to The Rolling Stones. It has remained a symbol of Belfast’s commitment to preserving the arts throughout the years, even serving as a dance hall to entertain American troops during World War II.
Botanic Gardens
I love it when a city has a botanic garden - there’s something so exotic about that to me! Botanic Gardens were historically for growing medicinal herbs and studying plants, and then as public interest in these topics grew, many botanic gardens were established around the UK. The Botanic Gardens in Belfast is home to the curved glass Palm House and Tropical Ravine, and offers a peaceful day out to anyone interested in nature. I love the curved glass structure of botanic gardens throughout the UK, and always enjoy including them on my illustrated maps if I can.
St. Anne’s Cathedral
Located in the Cathedral Quarter, St. Anne’s Cathedral is one of the key religious and cultural focal points in Belfast. Constructed over 80 years, this Romanesque Cathedral is particularly known for it’s remarkable mosaics. The other decorative elements of St. Anne’s were carefully designed to represent various elements of the Christian faith, as well as depictions of major religious figures. I hope I’ve managed to capture just some of the beauty of this building in my illustrated map and skyline, as it’s such a huge part of Belfast’s heritage.
The Big Fish
Another landmark featuring mosaic is the Big Fish. When I was researching what landmarks to include in my illustrated map, so many people insisted on the Big Fish! Clearly a well-loved public sculpture, and a fun way to celebrate Belfast’s connection to the sea.
St. George’s Market
This victorian covered market is known for it’s lively atmosphere, local vendors and celebration of culture. With around 300 traders, St. George’s market is popular with both locals and tourists looking for a sense of community and to experience the tradition of the markets of the UK. St. George’s Market definitely struck me as a really beloved part of the city when I was researching for the Belfast posters. It reminded me a lot of Cardiff Market, which I loved going to during my student days there. At Cardiff Market you can get the best Welsh Cakes, but St. Georges Market sells the ultimate Belfast Bap!
Titanic Belfast
Another tribute to Belfast’s shipbuilding heritage, Titanic Belfast is found on the former Harland and Wolff shipyard site. Titanic Belfast adds a touch of contemporary architecture to the skyline, as well as being an award-winning museum that tells the story of the city’s connection to the sea and the famous Titanic ocean liner. I think the modern architecture of the museum lends itself well to the composition of the Belfast prints, whilst achieving the goal of including Belfast’s most iconic landmarks in the artwork.
Belfast Castle
Perched on Cave Hill, and offering amazing views overlooking the city, Belfast castle was an obvious choice for landmarks to include in my Belfast prints. At first I was a bit surprised how ‘modern’ the castle was (being of the Victorian era), until I learnt that Belfast has actually had many “Belfast Castle’s” throughout the years, and this is just the most recent one!
Cathedral Quarter
It goes without saying that the Cathedral Quarter had to be marked on my Belfast map. Home to some of Belfast’s best nightlife, music, food and art it was historically a trading quarter, but is now a creative hub known for it’s cobbled streets, eclectic pubs, and street art.
Conclusion
Thanks so much for coming with me on this journey through some of the most iconic landmarks in Belfast. I hope I’ve chosen a selection of landmarks that will make my Belfast posters instantly recognisable to those familiar with this lovely city, and that they feel they can take a piece of Belfast home with them in one of my prints.
I hope my work has thoughtfully combined the extensive history of the city with the more modern additions to the skyline over the past years, celebrating Belfast’s distinct identity. My job here was to create illustrations that Belfast lovers can connect to, whether you’re decorating your own home, gifting to a Belfast graduate or local resident, or sharing one of these prints with someone who has special memories of the city.
If you’d like to take a piece of Belfast with you, you can take a look at my collection here.