Glasgow EuroWalk

Glasgow Cathedral - photo J Wilson Glasgow Cathedral, also called the High Kirk of Glasgow or St Kentigern's or St Mungo's Cathedral, was built before the Reformation from the late 12th century onwards and is the only medieval cathedral on the Scottish mainland to have survived the Reformation with its roof on. The cathedral is said to have been built where the patron saint of Glasgow, Saint Mungo, built his church. The tomb of the saint is in the lower crypt.  The congregation is part of the Church of Scotland's Presbytery of Glasgow and its services and associations are open to all. It sits alongside Glasgow Royal Infirmary, opened in 1794, and the Glasgow Necropolis graveyard, opened in 1833. Information from Visit Scotland - their page is at: https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/glasgow-cathedral-p254881 This is an excellent document about the European influences: Historic-Churches.pdf (cramondassociation.org.uk) Photos of Cathedral and Stained Glass on page by J.W...

City of Glasgow College established relationships with partners across the European Union and participated in many EU Funded projects since 1994. Links were forged with many EU member states including: Finland, Latvia, Germany, France, Netherlands, Slovenia, Malta, Ireland, Spain, and Iceland  City of Glasgow Faculty of Nautical studies- took part in a 3 year project to investigate innovative educational ideas around decision making partnering up with 6 other nautical colleges including IMT Atlantique, France and the French Naval Academy  https://www.imt-atlantique.fr/sites/default/files/Dahoy/Dahoy-brochure-V.finale.pdf The new campus on Cathedral Street: Photos: J.Wilson And the Campus on the River Clyde near Glasgow Green with lifeboat training into the Clyde! (on Eurowalk 1 route !):   Previous Back to Route Next

Chopin played a concert in 1848 in the Merchants' Hall - which at that time was situated in the building later known as the Sheriff Court on the corner of Hutcheson and Ingram streets.  The date was September 27, and anyone who was anybody was there. The cream of west of Scotland society and the aristocracy turned out for the occasion, including the Duchess of Argyll, countless countesses, lords, ladies, and baronesses. The occasion was extremely well-documented. Diarists, commentators, and all the papers were there. The Herald recorded the nineteenth-century equivalent of a city-centre traffic jam as the ''large concourse of carriages began to draw up in Hutcheson Street and the streets adjoining''  The matinée musicale given by Chopin on the 27th of September 1848 in the Merchants? Hall, Glasgow, attracted many a music-lover. The organizer of the concert - John Muir Wood - was told that "so many private carriages had never been seen at any concert in the town...

Fascinating history of the oldest building in Glasgow that is still used for its original purpose. Was the home of the various Guilds and Trades such as milliners, bakers, skinners, etc and included the Cordiners, the leather workers, named after Cordoba in Spain where the finest leathers were produced. https://www.tradeshouselibrary.org/uploads/4/7/7/2/47723681/trades_hall_paintings.pdf   Previous Back to Route Next

Note :   Jenny Lind features on the  Euro Driving Tour  and this Eurowalk 1 Route The area known as Jenny Lind in the South of Glasgow seems a strange place and way to commemorate the famous 19th-century Swedish opera singer Jenny Lind (1820-1887), known as the Swedish Nightingale (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jenny_Lind) . It would seem that at some point she had put up in an inn (or farmhouse) in the area which changed its name in honour of the occasion. See https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/17330363.jenny-lind-glasgow-area-named-greatest-showman-star/ .  The area is part of the Stirling Maxwell estate, so one cannot help wondering if there is some link between this great artist and the wealthy family, as there was for Chopin. Jenny Lind’s presence on the Glasgow cultural scene, however, is better documented. The following advertisement is found in the  Glasgow Herald  on 29 September 1848 (alongside reports of Chopin’s visits, and concern ...

Bucks Head Building One of many interesting buildings built/designed by Alexander "Greek" Thomson in 1862-1863, this is the first building where he used  elevated iron columns within his neo-classical designs. Today, it is still a major city landmark. The building was renovated in 2003 and today contains a Caffe Nerro.  This building was the only time that "Greek" Thomson used a combination of elevated iron columns with a trabeated façade. The external supports are apparently largely structural rather than ornamental. The deer sculpture on the top of the current building was carved by well known Glasgow sculptor John Mossman. The building replaced a popular hotel which had been on the site since the 1750s, the Bucks Head Hotel:  https://www.theglasgowstory.com/image/?inum=TGSA03551 . The hotel had originally been built as the home of Provost John Murdoch (1709 - 1776), a leading Glasgow merchant and Provost three times. Alexander "Greek" Thomson designed ...

This magnificent building was modeled on the Doge's Palace in Venice. Built in 1892 and features orange, yellow, and blue bricks. The story goes that T empleton wanted to build a factory to make his carpets. However, he was always refused planning permission. In exasperation, he asked his architect which he thought was the most famous building. The Doge’s Palace was the reply. "Model the factory on that" was his instruction! At one time 10% of people in Glasgow were involved in the production of carpets and textiles at the peak of the industrial revolution.  Templeton’s Carpet Factory: Historic attraction at Glasgow Green - Clyde Waterfront Heritage   You may also want to stop off for a beer as there is a brewery/pub/restaurant famously also making beer in the German style here -  WEST Brewery – Glaswegian heart. German head. (westbeer.com) . The West Brewery brews its beer according to the German Purity Law of 1516, so can only be brewed using four ingredients: wate...

Glasgow Green has a fascinating social and political history that is summarised in this excellent leaflet from Glasgow City Council:  https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=31478&p=0 The Peoples Palace has exhibitions of the social and political history and has the wonderful winter gardens glasshouse. The glasshouse apparently is designed to resemble the upturned hull of Nelson's ship. Some Jacobite History: In January 1746, Prince Charles Edward Stuart reviewed his army at Glasgow Green on their return from their failed mission to England:  TheGlasgowStory: 1560 to 1770s: Learning and Beliefs: Jacobites   and  TheGlasgowStory: Bonnie Prince Charlie . And here is an unusual link with Liechtenstein and the Jacobite lineage:   The 'rightful heir' to the Scottish throne | UK | News | Express.co.uk In the shadow of the People's Palace Museum, the Irish and Highland Famine memorial is a tribute to the large number of Irish people, who were forced t...

Location of the ascent of a historic balloon flight by Italian Vincenzo Lunardi in 1785: Lots more information in this reference: https://kddandco.com/2020/08/08/lunardi-in-campsie/ Map Reference: Eurowalk 2 - Along the Clyde

Photo thanks to B.Porr Opened in 1840 and designed by an Irish born customs offical John Taylor, who worked for the customs. Still to be expanded and photograph needed!

La Pasionaria” (“The Passion Flower”) sculpture by Dan Dooley (http://www.glasgowsculpture.com/) La Pasionaria was Dolores Ibárruri, a Spanish Republican politician, communist, and prominent anti-fascist propagandist during the Spanish Civil War of 1936 to 1939.  Her phrase "Better to Die on your feet than live forever on your knees" is carved on the plaque. La Pasionaria served as inspiration for sculptor Arthur Dooley in 1974, when various trade unions and Labour movement supporters funded the memorial. It is a memorial to British citizens who served in the brigades during the war. Photo: J. Wilson On the plinth it says: " 2,100 VOLUNTEERS WENT FROM BRITAIN; 534 WERE KILLED, 65 OF WHOM CAME FROM GLASGOW".  These volunteers  from across Europe went to Spain to join the brigades and help in the fight against a fascist insurgency, all sadly in vain as the fascists rose to power under the leadership of Francisco Franco. An interesting blog about some of this ...

Bridge Pillar Public Art work by Ian Hamilton Finlay (1925 – 2006) on pillars remaining from the now disused Caledonian Railway bridge.  Ian Hamilton Finlay was a poet, writer, visual artist and gardener who is internationally recognised for his work in all these areas.  Photo: J. Wilson The bridge pillars have a carved excerpt from Plato's Republic "All Greatness Stands Firm in the Storm" in English and Greek. It is thought to maybe be a comment on the decline of the Empire or industrial heritage maybe? The sculptor had won a commission from the New Works for Different Places; Four Cities Project organised by Television South West Arts. Interesting snippet - the French Communist Party presented Ian Hamilton Finlay with a bust of Saint Just -read more here  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Hamilton_Finlay Discussion on the translation here:  https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1658814 https://www.citycentrecontemporaryarttrail.co.uk/artworks/ArtWorkabout/2 Map Re...

Glasgow's Riverside Museum was named European Museum of the Year (EMYA) 2013 at a ceremony in Belgium.  The prestigious award is presented to museums which have been built or extensively refurbished within the previous three years. ( https://europeanforum.museum/winners/emya/ ) The £74m Riverside Museum, on the banks of the River Clyde, opened in 2011 and features the city's transport, shipbuilding and engineering heritage. It was designed by award-winning architect Zaha Hadid .  The European Museum of the Year Award (EMYA) was founded in 1977 under the auspices of the Council of Europe.  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-22587979   The sail training ship the Glenlee which is docked here was from  1922 the sail training ship  Galatea  in the Spanish Navy. Photo: J. Wilson (2011) Map Reference: Eurowalk 2: Along the Clyde

Kelvinside Hillhead Parish church - modelled on Sainte Chappelle in Paris - also with a stained glass window by William Morris and by Cottier.  Photos : J.Wilson Map Reference: Eurowalk 3: West End Wander

The Greek Community of Glasgow and the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of St. Luke, in the leafy West End of Glasgow, have the only community-owned home of Orthodox Christians in Glasgow, Scotland.  The Cathedral welcomes Orthodox people of all nationalities, such as Scots, English, Russian, Ukrainian, Romanian, Ethiopian etc. Photos : J. Wilson Cypriot Hotel Magnate Reo Stakis made possible the purchase of the church building to become the Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Further information:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reo_Stakis  and  http://www.greekcommunitystluke.scot/istoria-koinotetos   Map Reference: Eurowalk 3: West End Wander

A story of two families and a Scottish born German Hero involved in the plot to assassinate Hitler ... Lismore House, overlooking the River Kelvin - photo by R. Rawles Lismore House on Kelvin Drive is a Grade B listed detached house which was certainly occupied by a "Mrs Kiep" as she is listed on the Address book below. Two German brothers, with the name of Kiep, set up "Carl Kiep & Brother" in Glasgow, importing timber. Lismore House Photos by A.Rawles Lismore House overlooks a bend in the Kelvin River. The house still contains many period  features, including marble fireplaces, German light fittings, wood panelling and carvings.  The other house connected with the family (early 1900s) is at 4 Hughenden Terrace. 115 Kelvin Drive (glasgowwestaddress.co.uk) The River Kelvin from Lismore House I have attempted an excerpt of a family tree for the two families involved ...  ( Note : I am not entirely sure of the spellings of the names !) Johann Nikolaus Kiep was t...

The Glasgow Botanic Gardens have been on this current site, adjacent to the River Kelvin, since  1839 when they moved from a site west of Sauchiehall Street. They opened in 1842.  The Kibble Palace glasshouse (see photograph below) was originally a private conservatory located at Coulport on Loch Long. It was moved to its present site in 1873 and was first used as a concert hall and meeting place, hosting celebrated speakers such as Gladstone and Disraeli.  Photos by J.Wilson (Glasow Loves EU) The Kibble Palace and the magnolia tree in the foreground was bred in Paris ! The statues in Kibble Palace include ones by: the Italian Antonio Rossetti statue The Nubian Slave: http://www.glasgowsculpture.com/pg_biography.php?sub=rossetti_a# the Italian sculptor Scipio Tadolini whose sculpture "Eve" can be seen:  http://www.glasgowsculpture.com/pg_biography.php?sub=tadolini_s# .  Also "Ruth" by Giovanni Ciniselli  http://www.glasgowsculpture.com/pg_biography.ph...

The first and grandest red sandstone tenement in the city, A fitting tribute to tenement living, which is found commonly in Glasgow and Edinburgh as well as in USA in New York as well as in Berlin, Poland, Prague etc  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenement  and  http://peoplelovespaces.net/articles/24 Charing Cross Mansions was built in 1889-91, and was a modified version of JJ Burnet's French Renaissance-style entry in the City Chambers Competition of 1880.   Photos: J. Wilson The new design included a grand clock at the centre, with sculptures surrounding it, inspired by Michelangelo . The two reclining figures at the top represent Commerce and Industry. There are also four figures representing the seasons and if you look closely at the clockface there are the signs of the zodiac - find out more here:   http://www.glasgowsculpture.com/pg_images.php?sub=charing_cross . The Glasgow Coat of Arms can also be seen. Some old photographs to see what Charing...

At 336-356 Sauchiehall Street, there is a building designed by Alexander "Greek" Thomson, the famous Glasgow architect. Picture Attrib: Stinglehammer, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons  Designed by Alexander "Greek" Thomson.  More about Alexander "Greek" Thomson, who also designed the Bucks Head Building on one of our Euro Walking Tour routes !  https://blog.engineshed.scot/2020/04/09/alexander-greek-thomson-glasgows-visionary-builder/   as well as numerous other interesting buildings in Glasgow. Map Reference: Eurowalk 4: Woodlands to Sauchiehall

The Roman Catholic Parish Church of St Simon which is linked with St Peters in Partick and host Polish Masses. (similarly with St Anne's in Dennistoun). In front of church there is a Memorial Stone in Polish which translates: During the second World War Polish soldiers on leave from the battlefields came to this church to attend Mass together to hear the word of God in their native tongue, to sing their Polish hymns, and to thank Our Lady, Queen of Poland, for this touch of home the Polish community of Glasgow has. Through the years they felt deeply grateful to Father Patrick Tierney for the privilege he has accorded them of celebrating the Polish Mass in this Church and for the many kindnesses received from him and the parishioners. and in English: “I was a stranger and you took me in” Matthew 25:35 Two stained glass windows feature: GOOD CONQUERS EVIL Fr Jerzy Popieluszko died a martyr's death at the hands of people who has created a political system based on hatred and l...