The City Chambers (photo by brianholsclaw)

The large city centre of Glasgow spreads along the north bank of the Clyde. Its focus is the lively 19th-century George Square, featuring impressive Victorian architecture. Its wide open area will impress you with European elegance and atmosphere. The tall column in the middle of the square is crowned by the statue of Sir Water Scott. Around it are located statues of other prominent Scottish and English luminaries, ranging from Queen Victoria to some of Water Scott's heroes. The impressive beauty and grandeur of the City Chambers dominate the entire east side of George Square. They were built in the period between 1882 and 1890 to host the headquarters of the City Council. The inauguration ceremony was leaded by Queen Victoria herself. The constructions works were paid with part of the wealth gained by intensive colonial trade and the heavy industrialization of the city. The building is a symbol of the high ambitions and optimism of the city government of the Victorian period. The Chambers are opened for visitors and free guide tours are held regularly from 10:30 to 14:30 on week days. It is worth seeing the labyrinthine interiors, the splendid stairwells built of the finest Italian marble and the lovely domed ceilings decorated with mosaics.

Gallery of Modern Art (photo by matthew.devalle)

Heading southwards from George Square, along the main Queen Street you will reach the Royal Exchange Square. The main attraction here is the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA). It is housed in an ostentatious 19th-century mansion, once possessed by a very rich local tobacco merchant. Although the gallery is small compared to some other popular art collections in the UK, it has won people’s interest by well organized displays of works by the most contemporary artists from Scotland. The large ground floor houses temporary exhibitions, although you can always see here some of the impressive socially-committed works by the so called “New Glasgow Boys”. The basement of the manor house has a rich art library and a pleasant café. The second and the third floors are sometimes joined for larger exhibitions but most often show small themed displays of contemporary artist from foreign countries.

A few hundred meters west of the Gallery of Modern Art runs Buchanan Street, which is the main shopping thoroughfare of Glasgow. It goes southwards to one of the most elegant and attractive shopping complexes in the city and Scotland as a whole - the Princes Square. Its splendid Art Deco interior, lavishly decorated with graceful ironworks, is home of many pricey shops, always updated according to the latest fashion trends.

Staircase inside the Lighthouse (photo by Martin Burns)

A few footsteps from Princes Square, along Buchanan Street and the small Mitchell Lane you will find another important sight - the Lighthouse. This is a historic building from the end of the 19th-century, designed by the very skilful local architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh. It was his first public commission. The Lighthouse was built to house the offices of the Glasgow Herald newspaper. Today it is home to the Scotland's Centre for Architecture, Design and the City. Here you can see the constant exhibition of Mackintosh Interpretation Centre to receive more information about the genius architect and his works. Various temporary displays on architecture and design are organized too.

The Merchant City is located south-east of George Square. This is an old, 18th-century quarter with a grid plan. It consists mainly of old warehouses and merchants' homes. All buildings have been carefully sandblasted and reconstructed by the city council to return the past beauty of the area and reintegrate it into the city centre. The quarter is rich in sophisticated cafés, expensive boutiques and designer shops. You can take the Merchant City trail leaflet from one of the two Glasgow's tourist offices (see above). It will guide you through the area to some of the most interesting buildings of the neighbourhood, more than 10 in count.

McLennan's Arch, Glasgow Green (photo by _gee_)

South-east of the Merchant City, beyond the railway lines, is located the East End. The district reminds very much for the old image of the city. It is a densely packed, grey industrial zone. Here was made the larger part of Glasgow’ wealth in the past. Today the area is inhabited by the working class and is a strong contrast to the brilliance and elegance of the nearby Merchant City. Only isolated pubs, shabby shops and not very pleasant cafés can be found in the district. You should also know that it is not very safe to walk in East End after dark.

South of here, across London Road and directly on the bank of the River Clyde lies the Glasgow Green. This well kept, tree lined gardens have the reputation of being the oldest public parkland in Britain. The Green was created in the 12th century. It has been a favourite place for walks for centuries long. In the park is found the People's Palace - a beautiful Victorian building, made of red sandstone. The palace was completed at the end of the 19th century and since than has been a home to a museum devoted to Glasgow's history.

The People's Palace (photo by gajtalbot)

North of East End and within walking distance is located the Cathedral of Glasgow, also known as the High Kirk. The first church on the site was built in 1136, but was destroyed soon after that in 1192. The construction works of the present-day Cathedral began almost immediately after 1192 and continued until the late 15th century. This stocky-spired church is an excellent example of the Scottish Gothic architecture. It is also among the few medieval churches in Scotland (and the only medieval cathedral) survived intact the Reformation. Devoted to the patron saint of the city - Saint Mungo or Saint Kentigern, the Cathedral consists of two levels. The first one or the lower church is where the crypt is kept. First you will enter into the 105ft or 32m high nave of the upper church, which roof is supported by two splendid arcades. The choir is hidden behind a gracefully carved stone pulpit, creating the impression that the interior of the church is much smaller than expected. From the choir, through a small door, you will enter the dark hall of the sacristy, where the University of Glasgow was founded at the end of the 15th century.

The entrance to the lower church is in the nave. Passing through it, you will go down gloomy stairs to reach the ancient chapel which keeps the tomb of Saint Mungo. Although the saint's relics were removed fro here centuries ago, the tomb is still the centrepiece of the lower church. The chapel is an exquisite example of some of the best architectural skills in medieval Scotland. It is covered by a light and delicately decorated fan vaulting, supported by massive stone columns.

Glasgow Cathedral at Night (photo by _gee_)

Right next to the Cathedral is located the picturesque green mound of the Necropolis. This ancient graveyard resembles somehow the Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris. It is an odd-looking mixture inclined and tumbled gravestones, gloomy catacombs, ornate urns and heavily decorated Neoclassical temples. You can climb the top of the mound for spectacular panoramic views over the city, the Cathedral and the Royal Infirmary.

The renowned Sauchiehall Street is must for every visitor to Glasgow. It goes eastwards, starting from the crossing point of Buchanan Street and Cathedral Street. Sauchiehall Street is famous not only for its shopping malls. In the street are located some of the most interesting city landmarks, including the Mackintosh's Willow Tea Rooms.

North of here, on the top of one of the steepest hills of the city centre is located another work of Mackintosh - the Glasgow School of Art. This slightly gloomy structure, built of brown to greyish sandstone is considered the highest master piece of the architect.