A major cultural and educational center of Scotland is second only to London in the number of students. The bustling and eternally young atmosphere attracts tourists no less than the famous sights of Glasgow. Interesting architectural sites, historical monuments, holidays, and colorful festivals have made the city attractive to travelers from different countries seeking to see firsthand the wonders and beauty described in travel guides.
Top 5 attractions in Glasgow
The city was founded in the 6th century, during its long history many people and events have left a reminder of themselves here. According to legend, the founder was St. Mungo. The small monastery on the banks of the Molendinar River gradually expanded and grew into a bustling city.
The cathedral and the Necropolis have become major attractions and have acquired the relevant legends, which the locals are happy to tell tourists. City myths only fuel curiosity and a desire to see the sights Glasgow is known for in Scotland and beyond.
Necropolis
This city of the dead was the last resting place for 50,000 people. Many of the graves have long lacked monuments and the names of the buried, yet some evidence of distant times still survives. Among them are 15th-century slabs, sculptural groups and statues by Thomson, Bruce, and Hamilton. The main entrance and the road to the Necropolis are connected by the Bridge of Sighs, which was part of the funeral route.
Enthusiasts lead interesting tours, interspersing stories about real people and events with tales and legends of fictional, but no less interesting characters.
Pollock House Museum
The elegant mansion, the ancestral home of the Maxwells, is built in the Georgian style. The main building is complemented by two symmetrical annexes, a well-groomed strict park leads to the main entrance. A decorative gate welcomes guests with a staircase with semicircular steps. The building was built in 1752 and is protected as a historical monument. What is stored in its halls is also of great cultural value.
The museum is famous for its masterpieces and is on the list of most comprehensive city tours. The exhibition includes paintings by Goya, El Greco, and Blake. An amazing collection of glass, porcelain and silver figurines is housed in separate rooms.
The former kitchen premises were occupied by a restaurant offering exquisite dishes based on ancient and modern recipes.
There are gardens around the estate, and entry is free.
Provand Mansion
The historic house-museum already from afar immerses you in the atmosphere of the Middle Ages. The mansion was built in 1471 as part of the hospital complex founded by the bishop of Muirhead, as evidenced by a well-preserved sign on one of the walls.
Many of the buildings around the mansion were destroyed or rebuilt, but this one survived, gained the status of a historical monument and became a museum. In the interior, 17th-century furniture belonging to William Burrell has been preserved and gives an idea of the furnishings of the time.
Behind the mansion there is a garden of medicinal plants, which belonged to the hospital, preserved in its original form.
University
It is considered one of the oldest institutions of higher education in Europe. The façade immediately makes it clear that this is indeed a temple of science, where vast amounts of knowledge are stored and only the select few are allowed to access it. Students have become accustomed to the antique look of the building, especially since it is quite modernly equipped inside. There are 16 departments of humanities, exact sciences, social-political, law school, training specialists in mass media.
The first lectures in its auditoriums were held in 1451, since then many brilliant scientists in various fields of science have come out of its walls, some at one time were lucky enough to attend a lecture given by Einstein. The principle of fetal ultrasound also comes from here, a method invented by Professor Ian Donald.
Cathedral
Built on the site of the monastery founded by St. John the Baptist. Mungo, the temple is the only surviving structure of its kind in Scotland. The first building was destroyed in a fire, the cathedral was rebuilt in 1196, and three centuries later it was extensively reconstructed.
Of interest are the signs of the 12 regiments in one of the stained glass windows, the ashes of Sts. Mungo, kept in the crypt of the cathedral, mosaics with scenes from the life of the saint. The cathedral is the bishop’s residence and holds services on Sundays.
You should not visit the cathedral in open clothing out of respect for the feelings of the faithful. It is recommended to choose for a woman a skirt below the knee and a blouse with closed shoulders, for a man – pants and a shirt.
How to get to Glasgow?
There are no direct flights to the airport of the city, you have to get to the airport via London, Amsterdam, Prague. Different airlines offer flights with connections in other European cities. The flight takes about 4.5 hours. It is most advantageous to book tickets in advance. The closer to the flight date, the more expensive they become.
From London there is a shuttle bus that takes almost 8 hours. The train is much faster, about 5 hours, it is much more comfortable, but the cost of the ticket is about 30-45 GBP.
Any Glasgow attractions can be reached quickly by cab, public transport or tourist bus.
