HHilly, sparsely populated, about twice the size of Munich, a coastline of 160 kilometers – the Isle of Man lies between England, Scotland and Ireland. An intermediate world in the Irish Sea, one could say, also for the economy, because the island is a tax haven.
Politically, the British Isles are not part of the United Kingdom, nor have they ever been part of the EU. The islanders pay with the Isle of Man pound, the official language alongside English is Manx, a Gaelic language that has since died out: Ned Maddrell, the last native speaker, died in 1974, but today Manx is being revived as a second language.
Mannin, as the island is also known, reports directly to the British Crown, giving the Queen the title of head of state: Lord of Mann. Lights were also lit on the island for Elizabeth II’s 70th jubilee in early 2022. Otherwise, not much shines on the island: In a number of places, light pollution is so low that stargazing at designated dark sky sites is a pleasure. And: In winter, the Northern Lights can also appear.
Source: Infographic WORLD
In winter and summer, tourists arrive by ferry, for example from Liverpool and Dublin or via the international airport in the south of the island. Sights include numerous megalithic sites from the Neolithic period, including Cashtal yn Ard in the northeast, the dolmen is estimated to be around 4000 years old.
Another highlight is the ride on the electric narrow-gauge railway along the west coast: The Manx Electric Railway runs for almost 30 kilometers through charming landscapes, valleys and villages. You can board in the capital Douglas.
In the very south, a highlight for animal lovers awaits: the Calf of Man bird sanctuary, a small offshore island where you can also stay overnight. More than 30 species of seabirds breed there, and puffins have recently been sighted there again.
Crazy curves at the Tourist Trophy
Bikers love the island with no speed limit, more precisely: Outside of built-up areas, you can go full throttle. That’s why the oldest and at the same time most dangerous motorcycle race in the world has been held here since 1907: the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, or TT for short.
No other road rally takes place on such a controversial route: around 60 kilometers long, a good 264 corners, at speeds of well over 200 kilometers per hour. No motorcycle race in the world is therefore deadlier, so far at least 263 racers have died on the course, five of them in 2022.
The Isle of Man Tourist Trophy has been held since 1907. The recording shows a race in 1954
Quelle: Getty Images/Hulton Archive/Heritage Images
Normally, the narrow island roads with their curves are designed in such a way that you should actually drive slowly. But in 1904, the then island governor decided to abolish a speed limit like in Great Britain and to use the public roads for motorsports in order to promote tourism. The island is fully booked for the Tourist Trophy, 40,000 visitors, 14 days of speed rush.
A cat without a tail
The Manx cat has lived on the island for centuries. Her greatest peculiarity is something that isn’t even there: she is usually born without a tail. Since the Manx’s front legs are usually shorter than their hind legs, the cats often hop around. A mutation resulting from genetic isolation and inbreeding.
Manx cats are bred on the island without a tail – although the animals suffer as a result
Quelle: pa/imageBROKER/John Eveson/FLPA
Today, Manx are specially bred on the island. A distinction is made between tailless rumpies and stumpys with a stubby tail. But animal rights activists are anything but amused: the animals lack a sense of balance. This tormented breed is forbidden in Germany. Rather buy a Manx just as a stuffed animal.
The oldest continuously meeting parliament in the world
The Tynwald is said to have met for the first time on Man in 979 AD – that’s the name of the island’s parliament, the word goes back to the Old Norse word “thing” for assembly. It is considered the oldest continuously meeting parliament in the world – since 1043 years, although this is disputed due to a lack of historical evidence. Parliaments on other islands met for the first time even earlier, such as the Løgting in the Faroe Islands and Althing in Iceland, but not continuously.
An open-air parliamentary ceremony is held on Man once a year: on Tynwald Hill on National Day. Grandstands are built there, petitions are accepted, laws are promulgated, and then people dance. Normal meetings are held in the capital, Douglas, and are open to visitors.
Ghosts in the castle ruins on St. Patrick’s
Strange things are happening in the seaside town of Peel on the west coast. Locals hang wooden crosses wrapped in sheep’s wool on their front doors on Walpurgis Night, and horns are blown eerily on Peel Hill to scare off spirits of all kinds.
Peel Castle is picturesquely situated on the island of St. Patrick’s
Source: picture alliance/robertharding/Michael Runkel
Peel Castle is open to visitors in summer. Here you can see the choir of the ruined cathedral of St. German
Quelle: Getty Images/EyeEm/Daria Hutchinso
A guided ghost tour also takes you to Peel Castle. The ruined castle, open in summer, stands on St. Patrick’s Island, which is connected to the city by a causeway. This is haunted by The Moddey Dhoo, a black dog sent by the devil. Even without ghosts, Peel Castle is spectacular, one of the island’s greatest architectural sights: with the choir of the ruined Cathedral of St. German, defensive walls, Viking cemetery.
The quote
“I have very good memories of growing up here”
Sir Barry Gibb, 75, the last of the Bee Gees, the three brothers who founded one of the most successful pop bands of the last century. Their classics include “Stayin’ Alive” and “Night Fever”. The Bee Gees are the Isle of Man’s most famous musical export, although technically the three of them only formed the band after they left.
Like his brothers Robin and Maurice, who had already died, Barry was born in the island’s capital, Douglas. A plaque hangs on his parents’ house (50 St. Catherine’s Drive). The Post Office issued a special series of stamps in honor of the Bee Gees. As life-size bronze sculptures, the three Gibb brothers, hand in hand, recently stood on the lakeside promenade in Douglas.
Bizarre, record-breaking, typical: You can find more parts of our regional geography series here.