The capital of Ireland, as one of the oldest cities in Europe, is famous for the beauty of architecture, national identity, and a special atmosphere that can only be felt in this country. The calm, measured life of the native Irish on quiet, clean streets, between Victorian-style houses echoes the spirit of trendy boutiques and nightclubs. It is difficult to feel in one day that unique image of being, taken from the depths of centuries, harmoniously fitting into our days. But still, the main attractions of Dublin will not escape the inquisitive gaze of an experienced traveler.
Trinity College
Start with Trinity College. Its full name is Queen Elizabeth College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity near Dublin. In 1592, by order of Queen Elizabeth near the city walls, a university was founded in the monastery of All Saints, which at that time was abandoned. Now that the city has grown, the student campus is in the middle of it, covering an area of about 19,000 square meters. sq.m.
Centuries-old buildings here coexist with buildings of recent times. Cozy alleys with perennial trees and modern sculptures look harmonious against the backdrop of cheerful gangs of carefree students. For tourists, they arrange free tours in English. They tell the history of the village and amuse with tales from the life of students.
The local library, one of the most beautiful in the world, is not to be missed. This is not only a storehouse of knowledge, but also a real architectural masterpiece. A two-tier hall with a high vaulted ceiling, decorated with images of prominent scientists, busts of great writers of different times and peoples. The most famous tome of this library is the Book of Kells, which was created, according to experts, in 800.
What paints were used by the monks is still a mystery. Despite all their misadventures, several abductions, unsuccessful restorations, all illustrations retained their brightness and clarity. Excursionists enter the building for a fee, the proceeds go to the maintenance and updating of exhibits.
National Gallery of Ireland
The National Gallery of Ireland, opened to visitors in 1864, contains an extensive collection of works by masters of painting. About 14 thousand paintings are stored in a relatively small building. Here you can enjoy the paintings of Peter Paul Rubens, Claude Monet, Titian, Francisco Goya and other artists.
Monument of Light
A significant achievement in contemporary art is the “Monument of Light”, located at the north end of O'Connell Street. The Dublin Needle, as this creation is also called, is visible, perhaps, from all points of the city. Covered with a special reflective material, it shines in the sun during the day, at night it has a bewitching appearance, illuminated by aircraft lights.
The needle was erected in 2003, when the mayor's office carried out a campaign to modernize the city center. The height of the stele is 121 meters, the diameter of the base is 3 m, the top is 15 cm. Despite the seemingly unpretentious design, this monument has firmly settled in the capital, is its personification. As conceived by the architects, this is a symbol of the unbending Irish spirit.
St. Patrick's Cathedral
Another landmark of Dublin is the spire of St. Patrick's Cathedral, its height is 43 meters. Of course, it does not reach the Needle, but its magnificent features, like the entire sanctuary, exceed all expectations. Built in 1192, over time it has turned into a whole complex of buildings, each of which is worthy of the attention of travelers.
The spectacular decoration that adorns the gray walls makes them an incomparable example of Gothic architecture. Inside the temple is striking in the splendor of decoration. Stained-glass windows on huge windows, carved arches going up to the ceiling, amazing tiles on the floor. If you're lucky, you can hear the dizzying sounds of the organ. Interestingly, one of the deans of this cathedral was Jonathan Swift, and here he is buried.
Dublin Castle
The tour will be incomplete if at least from the side you do not see Dublin Castle. For more than eight centuries, it has pleased the Irish and guests of the capital with its majestic and elegant appearance. This is a government complex of buildings, but if there are no meetings, conferences, or other important events on this day, it is open to curious visitors.
Here you can visit the Birmingham Tower, the Church of the Holy Trinity, the Arts Center, museums of various public services. In the dungeons, concerts are held here, there is a pleasant cafe, a souvenir shop. Guests of this grandiose complex can trace the history of the development of Irish architecture over several centuries, starting from the 13th century.
Brewery at the gates of St. James
Guinness brand beer is another hallmark of Dublin. It is brewed at the famous St. James Gate Brewery. Nearby is a museum dedicated to the intricacies of making this drink and Arthur Guinness himself, the famous brewer and creator of the Book of Records. In the museum, guests get acquainted with the equipment used, which is called “by touch”.
You can touch everything with your hands, turn on the machines, observe their work. Learn recipes that use beer, buy ready-made dishes. For example, chocolates, cakes with beer filling and much more. A huge set of beer bottles, dissimilar to each other, decorates the third floor, and on the sixth, tasting of various varieties is held. At the very top, there is a wonderful observation deck where you can savor the beer paid for in the entrance ticket while admiring Dublin. From here you have an amazing view of the city.
Temple Bar
These sights can be walked around, breathing in the humid sea air, looking along the way at parks, squares, small monuments, standing right on the sidewalk, such as Molly Malone. Few people can easily walk past it after a night of festivities in local pubs. The popular Temple Bar district is simply crowned with glory in this sense. Beer for the people of Ireland is a special drink that supports national traditions. More than 600 varieties of it can be tasted in the establishments of the area.
Even more types of snacks from meat, sausages, cheeses, seafood. There is enough entertainment for every taste. Musicians perform their songs, dance floors sparkle with colorful lights. After walking through several pubs in Temple Bar, infecting the cheerful mood of the townspeople, the night passes completely unnoticed.