The most iconic statues in Manchester

Manchester isn’t a place that just brushes history under the rug. Instead, it likes to acknowledge the past and its role in shaping the city. This is one of the reasons why you can see countless statues located around Greater Manchester. Remember, statues are not just there as a bench for the pigeons, these famous landmarks are enjoyed by workers and shoppers on a daily basis and as such are one of the perks of living in such a wondrous city. With this in mind, here are four of the most iconic statues in Manchester.

Alan Turing

The Alan Turing Memorial is located on Sackville Park. Featuring an image of the technology pioneer sat on a bench, it celebrates his role in revolutionising the world of modern computing. In addition, due to its proximity to the city’s Gay Village, it also recognises the injustice he was dealt when he was found guilty of ‘gross indecency’ in 1952.

Queen Victoria

Queen Victoria still reigns over Manchester thanks to her statue located on Piccadilly Gardens. The monarch – who ruled over the country from 1837 until her death in 1901 – was on the throne during one of the most prosperous periods in the history of Manchester. Unveiled shortly after her death, it is currently the only statue of a female located in Manchester.

Abraham Lincoln

A large statue of Abraham Lincoln is located in Lincoln Square near Deansgate. But why has Honest Abe got top billing in Manchester? The monument was actually a gift from President William Taft in 1919. It was given to say thank you for Manchester’s support to abolish slavery during the American Civil War.

Tree of Remembrance

The Tree of Remembrance is unlike most other statues in Manchester. For starters, it’s made out of metal. The monument wasn’t constructed until 2005 when it was placed in Piccadilly Gardens to commemorate those civilians who lost their lives in the blitzes of World War Two.

History on your doorstep

These are just some of the great monuments that you can enjoy in Manchester. In the meantime, don’t forget to take advantage of all the other fantastic services in the city – such as the secure self-storage units provided by Flexispace. These are just another perk of living in Greater Manchester.