Attraction Review: McManus Galleries, Dundee, Scotland

The McManus Galleries are located in Dundee, Scotland. Dundee is my hometown and the McManus Galleries is my favourite building in the city because of it's beautiful exterior design. I would recommend the Galleries to anyone visiting Dundee because the building is beautiful, there is enough to keep you occupied for an hour or two, the staff are friendly and helpful and the cafe is reasonable priced.

The McManus Galleries were built in 1865 and designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, who also designed the Albert Memorial in London. Scott favoured a gothic style of architecture and the McManus has been designed according to this. Some distinctive features of gothic architecture are; highly detailed, decorative patterns, tall arched windows and the inclusion of small decorative figurines found at the apex of roofing which are known as finials.

The McManus Galleries were built in memory of Prince Albert after he died in 1861 of Typhoid, which is a bacterial infection caused by salmonella. When the building opened in1867 it was known as ‘The Albert Institute’ and the Galleries are located in an area of Dundee called 'Albert Square'. Prince Albert was the husband of Queen Victoria, who was the Queen of England during the Victoria era. There is a statue of her situated at the rear entry to the building.

Whilst most of the Galleries were built in 1865, the building has been extended and over the years. In 1871, additional galleries were added by Davin McKenzie II. His work continued the use of Scott’s style of architecture and blends well with the rest of the building. A further extension was added in 1887, to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s Golden Jubilee. This extension was designed by William Alexander, who was Dundee’s town architect at the time. The Galleries also underwent a large-scale renovation between 2006 and 2009, re-opening to the public in 2010.

The McManus now comprises of a a number of gallery spaces, a creative learning suite and museum which focuses on Dundee's history. There is also a gift shop and café, both of which sell a lot of locally sourced items and produce.

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