Manchester Cenotaph

The Manchester Cenotaph is a limestone war memorial located in St. Peter's Square featuring a central pylon topped with a sculpted soldier figure draped in a greatcoat. Two smaller obelisks stand on either side of the main structure, framing the composition and completing the overall design.

The memorial was designed by architect Edwin Lutyens and unveiled in 1924 to commemorate soldiers who died in World War I. The monument was later relocated within the square to make space for the city's expanding tram system while maintaining its original form.

The cenotaph serves as the city's main gathering place for annual remembrance ceremonies honoring soldiers from both World Wars and conflicts that followed. Visitors come here regularly to pay their respects and keep the memory of those who died alive in the community.

The memorial sits openly in the public square and is accessible at any time without restrictions. The location offers plenty of room to walk around and view it from different angles, with clear pathways across the square making it easy to approach.

The stone surfaces bear Manchester's coat of arms carved in relief, encircled by laurel wreaths rendered in artistic detail. These fine elements are easy to miss at first glance but reveal the local connection and the craftsmanship invested in the design.

Location: Manchester

Inception: July 12, 1924

Architects: Edwin Lutyens

Made from material: Portland limestone

GPS coordinates: 53.47873,-2.24305

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:53