Custom House, Belfast

This imposing Victorian building near the River Lagan was designed by Charles Lanyon and completed in the 1850s to serve the growing port of Belfast. Built in an Italianate palazzo style, its front features a carved pediment with figures representing Britannia, Neptune and Mercury overseeing trade and the sea. The steps in front, known as the Custom House Square, were once a famous spot for public speakers and open-air oratory. The square is now a venue for concerts and outdoor events in the city.