Glasgow Cathedral, Glasgow, United Kingdom

Glasgow Cathedral is the oldest cathedral on mainland Scotland and is the oldest building in Glasgow. The history of the cathedral is linked with that of the city, and is allegedly located where the patron saint of Glasgow, Saint Mungo, built his church. The tomb of the saint is in the lower crypt. Walter Scott's novel Rob Roy gives an account of the kirk.

Built before the Reformation from the late 12th century onwards and serving as the seat of the Bishop and later the Archbishop of Glasgow, the building is a superb example of Scottish Gothic architecture. It is also one of the few Scottish medieval churches (and the only medieval cathedral on the Scottish mainland) to have survived the Reformation not unroofed.

James IV ratified the treaty of Perpetual Peace with England at the high altar on 10 December 1502. The cathedral and the nearby castle played a part in the battles of Glasgow in 1544 and 1560. Twenty years after the Reformation, on 22 April 1581 James VI granted the income from a number of lands to Glasgow town for the kirk's upkeep. He traced the ownership of these lands to money left by Archbishop Gavin Dunbar as a legacy for repairing the cathedral. The town council agreed on 27 February 1583 to take responsibility for repairing the kirk, while recording they had no obligation to do so. The church survives because of this resolution. Inside, the rood screen is also a very rare survivor in Scottish churches.

References:

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User Reviews

Kamil NOWAK (2 years ago)
Free entry / and really one of MUST SEE places in Glasgow- main floor and catacombs are available to be visited whole day. No tickets necessary- helpful volunteers staff and multiple languages to be chosen - in written and as audio guide. Done movies were made here - cone to discover them!

Andrea A (2 years ago)
The interior is beautiful. Every level has its own vibe and I like things are labeled so you know what you ate looking at. If you going to acropolis you get a good angle from higher up.

Rickey Gray (2 years ago)
A hidden gem since there is so much emphasis on Edinburgh. Glasgow's Cathedral is rich in history and beauty, and the free guides shepherding our visit is memorable. He loved the Cathedral and it was evident. You can spend as long as you want but you need to allow a good hour for the guide. Well worth a day trip on the train over from Edinburgh.

Kara Citarella (2 years ago)
Loved the views here and the walk around the cathedral! They were closed that day to outside visitors, so I wish they would have posted that on the website. It’s free to get in, but many people, including myself, made plans to tour it that day and there was just a sign outside saying no one could go in.

Colette (2 years ago)
It's a must see. I've been in Glasgow for years. And never have I been in the Cathedral. Amazing. I need to go back. We didn't have enough time to see it all properly but what we did see was fantastic. Huge. Definitely a must see for locals and tourists alike.

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