Around Glasgow, ancient buildings and historical streets and monuments relate a fascinating and influential past:

• Glasgow Cathedral marks the burial spot of St Mungo, the city’s founder and patron saint

• While visiting Glasgow’s oldest house, the Provand’s Lordship, Mary Queen of Scots is said to have plotted the infamous murder of Darnley

• On Glasgow Green - the city’s oldest public park - is the stone on which James Watt is said to have sat, pondering his revolutionary inventions which were to spark off the Industrial Revolution

• The Merchant City, where Glasgow’s rich merchant traders built their mansions, banks and warehouses, has a charm and character of its own

• The People’s Palace is a veritable treasure trove of Glasgow memorabilia, relating the story of the city’s social and political past
  

Street Cafe

Glasgow Cathedral

People's Palace

Glasgow’s architecture is among the finest in Europe. In 1999, the city has been designated UK City of Architecture and Design:

• Glasgow’s elegant streets are lined with some of the finest and most beautifully preserved Victorian buildings
• The magnificent City Chambers, Glasgow’s municipal headquarters in George Square, stands as a proud statement to the city’s proud position during the 19^th century as "Second City of the Empire"
• Around the city are unique examples of Glasgow’s most renowned architect and designer, Charles Rennie Mackintosh (including the famous Glasgow School of Art), and of the equally gifted Alexander "Greek" Thomson
• A full-scale programme of design projects and activities are planned throughout Glasgow’s celebrations in 1999 as UK City of Architecture and Design

City Chambers

Glasgow Art School

Charles Rennie Mackintosh glass

CITY OF ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

The city that hosted the Great Exhibitions of 1888 and 1901, and was designated European City of Culture 1990 has a full and exciting range of entertainment venues and activities:

• Glasgow is home to Scotland’s principal performing arts organisations: Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, the Citizen’s Theatre, and many more
• A wide range of excellent concert and entertainment venues includes: the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, the Theatre Royal, the City Hall, the King’s Theatre, the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, and the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre
• Glasgow’s diary of annual festivals and events includes: the Glasgow International Jazz Festival (July), the RSNO Proms (June), the Ten Day Weekend, the World Pipe Band Championships (August), and the Christmas Shopping Festival Shine On Glasgow.

The Armadilo Concert Hall

Pipe Band

CITY OF PARKS AND GARDENS

The name Glasgow means "dear green place", recognising the fact that Glasgow has over 70 parks and open spaces, more than any other city its size. Many of them contain some of the city’s main galleries and attractions, facilities for recreational activities, and many fine examples of Victorian sculpture. Among their many features are:

• The exotic Victorian Kibble Palace in Botanic Gardens and the grand Winter Gardens on Glasgow Green
• Victoria Park’s Fossil Grove, a fascinating display of fossilised tree trunks more than 300 million years old
• The newly completed House for an Art Lover in Bellahouston Park, designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh almost a century ago, and recently built using his original drawings
• The International Rose Garden in Tollcross Park, venue for the city’s annual International Rose Trials
• Highland cattle and Clydesdale horses in Pollok Country Park and Glasgow Green, and a Riding School in Linn Park
• Some of the most spectacular views of the city from Queen’s Park

Ariel Veiw of Glasgow

The river Clyde