The Great Union Camera Obscura is unique amongst camera obscuras in the world as it has eleven lenses. The Isle of Man’s camera obscura was built in 1892 as an attraction for the flourishing Manx tourist industry. The masterpiece works by using a series of mirrors and lenses which are located around the roof line above a darkened room. Views of the surrounding area are then projected onto a circular table which has been separated by partitions to give 11 moving colour pictures of the 360 degree view which includes Douglas harbour, the lighthouse and horizon.
We were privileged to visit the Great Union Camera Obscura with Peter Kelly from the Isle of Man Victorian Society. The camera obscura is unique in having 11 viewing tables, with images being projected by 11 fixed mirrors and lenses. The unusual design, originally with 12 mirrors and lenses, was patented by its designer Mr Fielding from Rochdale.
The design enables visitors to move around the building to observe the viewing tables one by one.
The Great Union Camera Obscura belongs to the Isle of Man Government. Following a long period without use it was restored and opened to the public in 2005 & had with more that 4,000 visitors that summer.
The Isle of Man Victorian Society took over the day to day running of the camera obscura, volunteers from the society open the camera obscura to the public on summer afternoons.
The Victorian Society keeps the admission charges low (£3 in 2026), it uses the revenues to fund grants towards the restoration of Victorian and Edwardian buildings and objects such as stained glass windows in churches, the restoration of a Manx Electric Railway goods waggon and the making of a replica internal door in the Baillie Scott designed Onchan Village Hall.
Further information:
The History of the Camera Obscura is described on the Isle of Man Victorian Society website along with rare pictures
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