Although it is often known for having a good sense of humor, it is a very serious place when it comes to its cultural heritage and points of interest. While Edinburgh is the official capital city, Glasgow has long been considered the cultural capital of the country. It is home to some of the most beautiful architecture, interesting festivals, an incredibly exciting music scene and some world-class galleries and museums.
If you are taking a trip to Glasgow and have the best cargo carrier sorted for your car, to benefit fully from your visit, we have outlined some great sites you need to include in your itinerary. Many of which you may not have considered before.
Mitchell Library
Like many of the buildings in and around Glasgow, the Mitchell Library is a marvel to behold not just on the inside, but the outside too. It is the largest public library in the country and is home to resources on a wide array of subjects. One of the largest and most-renowned collections of manuscripts by Scottish poet Robert Burns can be found there, and you can also use the family history centre to plot your family tree. Throughout the year, the library plays host to a wide array of events, including Aye Write!, Glasgow’s famous book festival which best-selling authors such as Denise Mina, Irvine Welsh and Alexander McCall Smith have all made appearances at.
Ashton Lane
Although it is very easy to miss this hotspot, you will be annoyed that you didn’t take the time to find and meander along Ashton Lane. The street is just off Byers Road in Glasgow’s interesting West End. The street is cobbled and there are a variety of little restaurants and bars, as well as the popular Grosvenor Cinema and ‘chippy’ Ubiquitous Chip.
Necropolis
It may seem like a strange choice of tourist attraction, but trust us, Glasgow’s Necropolis is a stunning Victorian Cemetery that was designed using the Pere Lachaise in Parish as its inspiration and features something in the region of 3,500 stone monuments. Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the hugely influential architect from Glasgow, designed a Celtic cross on display there and there is a monument dedicated to the leader of the Protestant Reformation, John Knox. Although it is free to enter and you will have a nice time walking around it on your own, taking in the history – there are number of walking tours with guides held every month that can help you to appreciate it all the more.
The Kibble Palace
While the Botanic Gardens of Glasgow are the perfect place to enjoy a break from sightseeing and shopping; you should make sure to take time in your schedule to visit Kibble Palace. Designed by engineer and inventor John Kibble this is an intriguing greenhouse. There you will find requisite, intricately carved statues in marble in amongst the National collection of Tree Ferns, tropical palm trees and vividly coloured flowers. This is a must for all nature lovers.
St. Aloysius Church
As Glasgow has a long and historic connection to various faiths, there are a number of beautiful churches to take in the splendour of, but perhaps one of the most interesting is St Aloysius Roman Catholic Church. As well as taken inspiration based on the Church of the Gesu in Rome with its renaissance style opulence and is home to a copy of the amazing Our Lady of Montserrat monument, only of 2 found outside of Catalonia.
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