Cathedral of books

This imposing building in the Deansgate area of central Manchester is the colour of dirty caramel. It sounds unprepossessing, but stands out among the sharp contemporary glass of its modern neighbours. But you have to venture inside the John Rylands Library to be truly impressed.

It was opened in 1900 as a memorial to Rylands by his wife, and its Gothic splendour is more in keeping with a place of worship. Stained glass, ornate stone columns and intricate woodwork make the library a reverential place to study and learn. It’s a building both flooded with light and full of dark, muted corners. I’ve captured my first architectural gem in this city…

Click first image to view the gallery

Tags: architecture, Deansgate, gargoyle, Gothic, John Rylands Library, Manchester, photography, stained glass, travel, Victorian, woodwork

24 thoughts on “Cathedral of books”

jdtphotography.co.uk on November 8, 2016 at 10:30 said:

I knew it, Mike starts his discovery of the enclaves we do not necessarily see. The detail and calmness of the place in this shots is so well conveyed.

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- mikeosbornphoto on November 9, 2016 at 20:12 said:
  
  Thank you so much, James. A remarkable place and a pleasure to capture its atmosphere. Hopefully we can finally meet in our Northern strongholds soon :)
  
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  - jdtphotography.co.uk on November 23, 2016 at 13:19 said:
    
    You are more than welcome Mike and that idea of meeting up sounds great.
    
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    - mikeosbornphoto on November 23, 2016 at 20:26 said:
      
      Well let’s hatch a plan some time soon :)
      
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BuntyMcC on October 31, 2016 at 01:10 said:

Beautiful. All. Love the three chairs with wheels on the front but not the back.

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- mikeosbornphoto on October 31, 2016 at 16:48 said:
  
  Thank you very much, Bunty. I think in days gone by even labour saving devices required effort!
  
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Mark Simms on October 30, 2016 at 16:46 said:

Great images Mike

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- mikeosbornphoto on October 30, 2016 at 17:06 said:
  
  Thanks Mark. It’s not quite the local library of my childhood!
  
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Alexander Lautsyus on October 30, 2016 at 13:11 said:

Stunning set, Mike! Love it!

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- mikeosbornphoto on October 30, 2016 at 13:16 said:
  
  Thank you Alexander! It’s quite something, this library.
  
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ckponderings on October 30, 2016 at 09:29 said:

Beautiful, Mike. Stunningly beautiful. :)

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- mikeosbornphoto on October 30, 2016 at 10:07 said:
  
  Thank you Richard. This alone made the move to Manchester worthwhile – and there’s a whole lot more besides!
  
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  - ckponderings on October 30, 2016 at 13:38 said:
    
    Haha! I can imagine; there are a lot of preconceptions about that place.
    
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    - mikeosbornphoto on October 30, 2016 at 13:49 said:
      
      Manchester? This is southern propaganda!
      
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Cos on October 30, 2016 at 08:45 said:

Beautiful photos, Mike! I love those old libraries ❤️

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- mikeosbornphoto on October 30, 2016 at 10:08 said:
  
  Thank you Koos :) This one is magnificent. That’s quite a memorial to a dead husband…
  
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  - Cos on October 30, 2016 at 17:25 said:
    
    Those are the best memorials!
    
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    - mikeosbornphoto on October 30, 2016 at 17:26 said:
      
      Yes, it’s been useful for a lot of people for more than 100 years!
      
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Jane Lurie on October 30, 2016 at 02:43 said:

Terrific set, Mike. Your eye for symmetry and detail is exquisite.

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- mikeosbornphoto on October 30, 2016 at 10:09 said:
  
  Thank you very much, Jane. This place is quite a feast for the eyes!
  
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Evelyn Postali on October 30, 2016 at 02:07 said:

Uma mais linda que a outra!

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- mikeosbornphoto on October 30, 2016 at 10:09 said:
  
  Obrigada Evelyn :))
  
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Scott K Marshall on October 30, 2016 at 00:23 said:

Fabulous set you have taken many shots I wouldn’t have considered – an indication that we are always learning great captures well composed

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- mikeosbornphoto on October 30, 2016 at 10:11 said:
  
  I appreciate that very much, Scott. This building had all its majesty coupled with the detail of existing as a library. Quite a stunner at that!
  
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