Bratislava has seen its share of war and conflict; this manhole …
Bratislava has seen its share of war and conflict; this manhole cover dates back just 20 years, after it became the capital of the newly formed Slovak Republic.
Bjorn Appel
This 86-year-old Tubingen, Germany, manhole cover incorporates v…
This 86-year-old Tubingen, Germany, manhole cover incorporates vents into its geometric design.
Josie Liao
Hsinchu, Taiwan, was first founded in the 17th century but did n…
Hsinchu, Taiwan, was first founded in the 17th century but did not attain official city designation until just 84 years ago.
Hyrdlak
Israel is a country where many languages are spoken; the linguis…
Israel is a country where many languages are spoken; the linguistic diversity can add to the wordiness of street signs and manhole covers alike.
Janne Koren
Japan’s manhole covers are among some of the loveliest. Many o…
Japan’s manhole covers are among some of the loveliest. Many of the covers are painted, then repainted when wear and tear from traffic does its work, by city officials or civilians.
Dmitry Shytsko
In older cities, manhole covers frequently feature ornate design…
In older cities, manhole covers frequently feature ornate designs. Some (like this Madrid piece) even tell stories or show lively scenes of city life.
Sanjo
Most manhole covers aren’t very whimsical—not so with this c…
Most manhole covers aren’t very whimsical—not so with this cover in Nishimera Village, Miyazaki, Japan.
Oxfordian Kissuth
Cities in the U.K. each have their own manhole designs. Frequent…
Cities in the U.K. each have their own manhole designs. Frequently, the diversity stretches into neighborhoods, like this unique cover in London’s Notting Hill area.
This Tampere, Finland, manhole cover gives a nod to two of its c…
This Tampere, Finland, manhole cover gives a nod to two of its core industries: construction and medicine.
Steen Jeppesen
Viborg is one of Denmark’s oldest cities, dating back to the 8…
Viborg is one of Denmark’s oldest cities, dating back to the 8th century. Although its manhole covers are a few centuries younger, they hearken back to its history.
Bjorn Appel
Manhole covers in German cities sometimes bear city seals or coa…
Manhole covers in German cities sometimes bear city seals or coats of arms. Others feature simple, yet striking, designs.
As important as infrastructure is to public works pros like us, most of the world doesn’t give the undercarriage of your average city a moment’s thought. However, the manhole covers, storm drains, sewer grates, and other massive pieces of metal that protect and give access to our underground assets are all too popular with thieves. Calcutta, India, loses upward of 20,000 manhole covers annually. And losses total about 24,000 in Beijing, China, every year.
The U.S. isn’t immune. New York City officials estimate that about 20,000 of their covers disappear each year.
The reason for such frequent manhole cover theft is most likely the desire to make a few bucks selling them for scrap. Maybe some of those thieves, however, simply appreciate works of art.
—Jenni Spinner is a Chicago-based freelancer and former associate editor of Public Works.
