Glasgow as long struggled to compete with Scotland's capital Edinburgh in the tourism industry but in the Glasgow Attractions tickets for sale few decades the city has been rejuvenated by massive inward investment much of it directed to the development of tourism. In 1988 the Glasgow Garden Festival brought much attention and in 1990 it was awarded the European City Of Culture. Since then this economic revival has helped create one of Scotland's most cosmopolitan cities with a huge number of world class visitor attractions. While these superb attractions are certainly worth a visit there are many other older attractions which are often overlooked and one of these is the wonderful Glasgow Necropolis.
The Glasgow Necropolis
Like Père Lachaise Cemetery, in Paris, Glasgow Necropolis is much more than a graveyard. This fascinating Victorian burial site features some of the finest sculptures in the city. Situated east of Glasgow's St. Mungo's Cathedral the cemetery is pretty easy to find especially as it is sited on one of the few hills in the city.
During the 19th century the Glasgow was one of the most important ports in the world and like Liverpool in England vast amounts of cash were invested into civic buildings by those who had gained huge wealth. In Glasgow a small number of entrepreneurs, known as the "Tobacco Lords" held much of the wealth of the city. In 1831 a competition was held to determine the design of the Necropolis which was to be comparable to Père Lachaise and sixteen designs were submitted. The Tobacco Lords, ever keen to display their wealth, seemed to compete with their grave memorials with increasingly more ornate sculptures and amazing architecture.
Many of the sculptures depict something relating to the life of the person buried below. The most striking monument is at the very top of the hill, the huge monument to John Knox. Looking around Glasgow Necropolis you will find superb works of art including a marble figure of a seated Charles Tennant and works in the Art-nouveau style including a Celtic cross by Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
Other Glasgow Attractions
Many of the hidden attractions of the city are related to the renowned artist and architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Born in Glasgow Mackintosh is most famed for his furniture and distinctive buildings, many of which are found around the city. While many of his designs were for private dwellings there were a few public buildings designed by him including his most masterpiece the Glasgow School of Art.
While many would agree that the Willow Tea Rooms contain the most famous of his works a visit to the Tea Rooms and the Glasgow School of Art alone is insufficient to gain a full understanding of the immensity of his talents. Other related places to visit include the most important "House for an Art Lover" in Glasgow's south side, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, The Lighthouse, Martyrs' Public School, Scotland Street School Museum, The Mackintosh Church at Queens Cross and Hill House in Helensburgh.
One final hidden gem that must be mentioned is the fascinating Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre which features a multitude of carved figures intertwined with masses of what appears to be junk metal. Without going into too much detail the whole thing comes to life in a feast of light and sound all choreographed to perfection. Sharmanka is found at Trongate 103.
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