The Glasgow City Chambers overlook George Square, not far from where we were staying. Completed in 1888, this has got to be one of the city's most striking and regal buildings.
This West Elevation features an Allegorical Frieze, Allegorical Female Figures and Trades and Industries of Glasgow.
Way above this is a Jubilee Pediment depicting Queen Victoria enthroned and a central apex figure of Truth, but dippy little me failed to get a photograph of it, so here's a PDF...
Open from Monday to Friday, tours are available twice a day and cost nothing, so we just had to find out more.
Look at that entrance hall ceiling- it's like something out of a historical movie.
Glasgow City Chambers have, for over a century, been the administrative headquarters of successive City of Glasgow councils.
This is the mosaic ceiling of the ground floor Loggia (a covered corridor with a partial wall, supported by columns or arches).
This is a SuperDean photo of the mosaic, which features the city's coat of arms in its original 1866 design. It's on the floor as you enter.
The emblems of the bird, the tree, the bell and the fish are reflective of Glasgow's patron saint, Saint Mungo. They are immortalised in this verse:
Here's the Bird that never flew
Here's the Tree that never grew
Here's the Bell that never rang
Here's the Fish that never swam
The City Chambers are very much a working building...
The City Chambers are also known as the Municipal Buildings...
Look at all this marble! This building really does take your breath away!
The Chambers were designed by William Young, following a design competition. He was a Scottish architect, and work began in 1882...
The building has stood in for other locations in movies, such as the Vatican in the 1986 film Heavenly Pursuits...
...For the British Embassy in Moscow in the 1983 film An Englishman Abroad...
...In 2005 it featured in the film adaption of the novel The House of Mirth...
...It also featured in the 2014 TV series Outlander...
It is supposed to be lucky to rub this marble lion's nose (which I did!) Constant rubbing has flattened his nose somewhat!
The view up through the oval, and I will show you the view down later...
This cabinet is dedicated to sport. Glasgow was the European Capital of Sport in 2023.
The door opened to reveal artefacts used on ceremonial occasions in the cabinet through the glass. I think there might have been a mace in there, but I couldn't be sure, and this photo doesn't reveal much!
Bronze statue- unfortunately I can't make out the inscription. It appears to be of a figure holding what looks like two fists!
I've seen this referenced as the world's longest marble staircase...
...And Western Europe's largest staircase, so I'm not sure which boast is true- maybe both?
...But, being one storey higher, the building does claim to have more marble than the Vatican which, as I have mentioned, it has doubled for.
The Banqueting Hall is decorated by huge murals by the Glasgow Boys...
...They were part of the Art Nouveau movement...
...They flourished at the end of the 19th/ beginning of the 20th century...
The Satinwood Suite- so called because it's decorated in Australian satinwood (which is now extinct.)
As well as being a working building, Glasgow City Chambers hosts civic functions, wedding ceremonies and large meetings.
A closer view of this grand alabaster fireplace...
Looking out over George Square, and the statue on top of the central column is of poet and novelist Sir Walter Scott.
A Spring Roundelay, by E.A. Hornel.
We were told that this painting features the artist's daughter in several different poses.
Apparently this painting has shrunk in size, as it went "missing" for a while and ended up getting damaged...
At the time of its opening the building had cost over a staggering £578,000 to build- which is over £96 million in today's money!
This building was built at the height of the British Empire...
This is a SuperDean photo of the charming Octagonal Room, which is used as an overflow room. It is decorated in amber wood and has a stunning polished parquet floor.
Walnut and Cuban mahogany feature in the panels and fireplace of the Mahogany Suite...
The building has four floors...
We are at the top of the building, and the Picture Gallery can be seen through the door...
Through a side door we could see the Banqueting Hall from the leather-rimmed balcony, and the chairs can be removed and the carpets thrown back...
The likes of Sir Alex Ferguson and Nelson Mandela have been entertained here, when they received the Freedom of the City (not at the same time!)
Moving back towards the Picture Gallery and here's the view out of the window, overlooking a courtyard...
The mosaics consist of 1.5 million hand-laid tiles- quite phenomenal, when you think about it!
The ceilings are also decorated with tiles, along with sumptuous gilding...
Portraits of many former City Provosts adorn the walls of the Picture Gallery...
The oval balcony...
Looking down at the abundance of Italian Carrara marble...
The first council meeting was held in the building in 1889...
Looking up through the highest part of the building...
This is former Glasgow City Provost, Pat Lally.
From all of the portraits, I liked this caricature the best!
Making our way back down, and can you make out the set of teeth in the marble?😁
...Or the elegant dancing Victorian lady?
It is definitely worth visiting Glasgow City Chambers, and I will return!
Until then,
TTFN
Miss Elaineous
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