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Portugal
Link to introductory pageIn comparison to Spain the manhole covers of Portugal are generally a meagre bunch. In many cases the covers feature only the initials CM (for Camara Municipal) followed by the...
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Ireland
Link to introductory page Ireland has a wide variety of manhole covers, few of them very decorative, although many small water stop-valves have Celtic style designs, often with the word "uisce" (water,...
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Spain
Link to introductory pageThe manhole covers of Spain reflect the civic and historic pride of the nation, a pride which manifests itself in the coats of arms which adorn the facades of so many of the...
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France: Languedoc-Rousillon
Link to introductory pageFrance: Languedoc-RousillonAGDEAgde, eaux uséesBEDARIEUXBédarieux, Fonderie Sablier, eau. Seen in LamalouBédarieux, J. Sablier, fondeur. Seen in SeteBEZIERSVille de Beziers,...
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France: Midi Pyrénées
Link to introductory pageFrance: Midi PyrénéesALBI Millet & Rigal, AlbiFonderie Millet, AlbiFonderie Millet, AlbiTeysseyre, AlbiTeysseyre, Albi[Arms of Albi]CASTRESBousquet & Azema, CastresLink...
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France: Aquitaine
Link to introductory pageFrance: AquitaineBAYONNEVille de BayonneBIARRITZSafam fonderies de MousserollesNAVARRENXVille de NavarrenxPAUJ.Artigau et fils, Pau, mecanique et fonderieLink to introductory page
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France: Paris
Link to introductory pageFrance: ParisA.Durenne, Maître de Forges à Paris. Seen in Caen A.Durenne, Maître de Forges à Paris. Seen in Versailles. A variant of the same design with sixteen symbols in the...
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France: Loire and Centre
Link to introductory pageFrance: Loire and CentreAmboiseFonderie Mabille, AmboiseBleréRichard à Bleré. Seen in Loches A Richard, Bleré i. L. Seen in Pocé-sur CisseLuconVille de Luçon, EgoutsLe...
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France : Pont-à-Mousson
Link to introductory page See also pages for individual regions and towns in France.Pont-à-MoussonMany manhole covers in France, and increasingly in many other counties, bear the brand name PAM with...
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Germany : Kulmbach
Link to introductory pageThe town of Kulmbach deserves its own page because of the range of manhole covers it has commissioned to commemorate various places and institutions with which the town is...
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Germany : Hansa Towns
Link to introductory page BREMENFreie Hansestadt Bremen, Stadtentwasserung. Aguss/Begu. HAMBURGFreie und Hansestadt Hamburg. Kanal Guss Hamburg manhole cover with a Shanghai cover in a photographic...
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France : Champagne and Ardennes
Link to introductory pageBrousseval, Haute MarneBrousseval, Hte. Marne. Seen at DeauvilleBrousseval, Hte. Marne. Seen at CaenBrousseval, Haute-Marne Brousseval, Haute-Marne Bussy, Haute MarneThe...
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International Manhole Cover Museum
International Manhole Cover Museum - Museo delle Ghise In Commachio in 2006 we were delighted to discover an exhibition of manhole covers in the town’s library and art gallery. Described as the...
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Romania
Link to introductory pageRomanian manholes are frequently corroded or worn, with any inscriptions that may once have been in the centre obliterated. Many are in any case anonymous, with few distinctive...
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Switzerland
Link to introductory pageSwiss manholes are for the most part very unimaginative, usually simply with a chequerboard pattern, sometimes with the name of the foundry inscribed. Common throughout the...
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England: coalhole covers
Link to introductory page In England the precursors of manhole covers are the coalhole covers. In the 19th century many buildings in larger towns had a coal hole in the pavement to allow the coal...
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England: London
Link to introductory pageAshton & Green, London, Dublin & BristolFrederick Bird & Co engineers & ironfounders, London W. Self fastening plateFrederick Bird & Co West Drayton near...
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Belgium
Link to introductory pageBRUGESJ.De Jaeger, BrugesB[ruges] Drinkwaterleiding, Brugge STAD BruggeA de Clerck, BruggeBRUSSELSBruxelles, distribution d'eau Deglume. Seen in YpresGHENTWater, Stad...
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Austria
Link to introductory pageGmundABD GmundGraz Graz. Exhibit by the International Manhole MuseumKremsStadt Krems, Knanlisation. A product of the Wallner & Neubert foundry.LinzStadtgemeinde Linz,...
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Greece
Link to introductory page Lack of familiarity with the Greek language has meant that the full range of manhole covers has not been tackled. There are undoubtedly many covers with inscriptions relating...
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