St Mungo’s Cathedral
The cathedral has retained its appearance since the 13th century. It houses the residence of the Bishops of Glasgow. The first brick of the cathedral’s foundation was laid in 1136 on the site of the St. Mungo’s Chapel, who was considered the patron saint of the city. As a result, there came to be two churches-the “upper” and the “lower.” The lower church contains the tomb of St. Mungo, while in the upper part-the Necropolis-are buried members of Glasgow’s noble families. Inside St. Mungo’s Cathedral is the University of Glasgow-the oldest school in Scotland. It was founded in 1124 under the name “School of Choristers.” The cathedral is one of the most striking examples of Scottish Gothic architecture. On the ancient wooden roof stand 500-year-old statues depicting the seven deadly sins.
Statue of the Duke of Wellington
The Duke sits astride a horse in front of the entrance to the Gallery of Modern Art in Glasgow, and he is almost never seen without a traffic cone on his head as an additional piece of headwear. It all began in the 1980s, when local hooligans put a traffic cone on the Duke of Wellington’s head. The authorities removed it, but the cone appeared on the monument’s crown again. The story repeated itself several times, and the authorities had to accept it: now the striped headgear is on the Duke’s head on a permanent basis.
Holmwood House
Holmwood House is a residential villa with an unusual architectural design, built in 1857-1858 by the famous Scottish architect Alexander “Greek” Thomson. He also designed the striking polychromatic décor. In the dining room, this decoration is best expressed in the form of frieze panels on the theme of Homer’s Iliad. Between the First and Second World Wars, the mansion changed hands several times and underwent various modifications. But the truly irreparable damage to Holmwood House was done by the nuns from the Mission of Our Lady. They covered almost the entire interior décor of the mansion with a thick layer of paint. In 1990, the building was on the verge of destruction, but it was purchased by the National Trust for Scotland, restored, and is now open to visitors.
Lighthouse
One of Glasgow’s most popular attractions is its Lighthouse-a beautiful Baroque structure built in 1895 to the design of the well-known architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Tall, solitary, a little sad, yet incredibly beautiful, it features four luxurious galleries, a small craft center, and a café. Inside the lighthouse there is a spiral staircase leading up to the top, where there is an observation deck. Outside, the building is adorned with stucco details and decorative murals. The warm yellowish shade of the exterior finish gives the structure a special sense of comfort and harmony. Inside, the lighthouse is equipped in a very modern way.
Provan’s Lordship Mansion
Provand's Lordship is the oldest building in Glasgow, excellently preserved to this day. It was built in 1471. Originally, it housed the residence of the pastor-a clergyman at St Nicholas Hospital. It gained its popularity because, in 1566, Mary, Queen of Scots, stayed here when she came to Glasgow to visit her husband, Lord Darnley, and persuade him to return to Edinburgh. Today, this historic stone house with dark wooden furnishings, low arched ceilings, and, by medieval standards, richly appointed interiors is home to a museum. Its highlight is the well-preserved interior decoration in the Scottish style. Externally, the building resembles a medieval castle, with massive walls and small rectangular windows.
