A fine square to observe one of Manchester's finest buildings – or a great gathering place for football triumph. Either way Albert Square is bound to please.
Albert Square is a tree-lined central square often overshadowed by Manchester's grandest building – the Town Hall, with its spectacular Gothic façade and gigantic clock tower. But it was the Square that was planned, and built first, before the Town Hall was even on the drawing board. The reason is standing grandly in its middle. The Albert Memorial is a typically extravagant tribute from Manchester to Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria who tragically young, died part-way through her long reign.Shortly after his death in 1861, the Manchester Corporation's Monuments Committee decided a statue should be erected in his honour. But with no suitable space to display what was envisioned as a canopied memorial, it was delayed – until this section of slums and derelict land was offered up by its owners. What was once called Longworth's Folly was cleared of its decrepit dwellings, and Albert Square started to take shape in 1864.The Memorial itself was installed in 1865, and is certainly an imposing piece of sculpture, with its ornate spire and canopied pinnacles. It's not just Prince Albert who is remembered in the Square, though. Walk around its perimeter and you'll find the famous British prime minister, William Gladstone, and US President Abraham Lincoln, as well as assorted Mancunian bishops, bankers and politicians.But most come to Albert Square not to spot statues, but to admire the 'front lawn' of Manchester's finest civic buildings – or to take part in one of Manchester's impromptu celebrations of football success. When one of the city's two famous clubs – United or City – has won a trophy or cup, Albert Square quickly becomes a sea of red or blue. Just remember to check which colour-code applies before you head to Albert Square to join in the party.
