Travel Guide to Manchester, Great Britain

Manchester is a county city located in Lancashire. The city is situated on the bank of the Irwell River on the western slope of the Pennines hill. The city was founded in the X century by the Celts. In 79 AD the Romans built the Mankunium fort on the place of the Celtic settlement specializing in trading and crafts. Manchester City has received its modern name from the Saxon "Muncaster".

The city develops quickly, so from the middle of XVIII century Manchester becomes a large center of cotton industry. After the opening of the Manchester Canal this place also becomes one of the main transport crossings of the country. Nowadays Manchester has become a major transport, trade, financial and industrial center of the UK.

In addition to well-developed industry this city is the center of British history and culture. In Manchester, not London, have first appeared repertory theaters. Today the visitors of this wonderful city can enjoy attending numerous theaters: City Drama Theatre, Opera House, Palace Theatre, Apollo Theatre and others. The most interesting museums of Manchester are Salford Museum and Art Gallery that exhibits a collection of paintings by the local artist Lowry, Manchester Art Gallery, Manchester Museum that features the largest Egyptological collection in whole Britain, Art gallery Whiteworth, and more. The local Gothic Cathedral and the neo-Gothic Town Hall are also distinctive architectural landmarks of the region.

Finally, Manchester is famous for its numerous entertainment centers, clubs, and the largest shopping center in Europe named Arndale.