Glasgow City Chambers

Glasgow City Chambers, Scotland

Jake Davies

The Glasgow City Chambers in Glasgow have been the seat of municipal government in the city since 1889. Like similar municipal buildings around the UK dating back to this time, it is an impressive structure, meant to impress with the authority that came with massive wealth created by commerce and industry.

However, the exterior, imposing as it is, fails to indicate what you will experience in the interior of the building, which is best described perhaps as opulence.

You could be forgiven for thinking you were inside some kind of palace, and in fact film-makers would agree. The 1983 movie An Englishman Abroad featured scenes shot here that were meant to the interior of the Kremlin, and the 1986 movie Heavenly Pursuits similarly used the interiors to represent the Vatican.

The Italian-inspired reception area, Scotland, UK. — The Italian-inspired reception area

History

The Glasgow City Chambers was designed by Scottish architect William Young (1843-1900) who won the competition that drew hundreds of entries.

Young had traveled in Rome and Italy and it shows. Entering the Chambers from George Square the visitor enters a long gallery with arches and vaulted ceilings.

The floors are covered in mosaics as are the domes, and it is estimated that in the domes alone 1.5 million tiles were used. The pillars are polished Scottish granite topped with dark green marble.

The gallery leads to a pair of magnificent staircases, the one on the left made out of Carrara marble. The balustrades of both as well as the wall panels are alabaster.

Looking up from the central stairway in Glasgow City Chambers, Scotland, UK. — Looking up from the central stairway in Glasgow City Chambers

Upstairs are numerous office and chambers, the most impressive being the Banquet Hall where large scale events and ceremonies are held surrounded by murals by Scottish painters.

Other rooms include the Satinwood Suite, finished in Australian satinwood and featuring an alabaster fireplace, the Mahogany Suite, and the Octagonal Suite.

Along with the Library, the Council Chamber, and the Lord Provosts Office, all these rooms have outstanding architectural features and materials including Venetian glass.

Almost like a museum, the corridors and alcoves of Glasgow City Chambers contain a large number of statues.
. — Almost like a museum, the corridors and alcoves of Glasgow City Chambers contain a large number of statues

Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business. — Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business

Stairway made of freestone. The other stairway is made of Carrara marble. — Stairway made of freestone. The other stairway is made of Carrara marble

Access

The Chambers are free to enter, but twice a day guided tours take you into some of the most impressive rooms that are not normally open to the public, and, of course, supply lots of background information.

The tours are on a first-come-first-served-basis and take pace at 10:30 am and 2:30 pm, Monday to Friday. Tours are limited to 25 people and tickets can be had 30 minutes before the tour from the reception desk. There is no charge.

Glasgow City Chambers
George Square, Glasgow G2 1DU
Tel: 0141 287 2000
Open 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday.

A 3 minute walk from Glasgow Queen Street Station with connections to Edinburgh Waverley, Aberdeen, Dundee, Inverness and Stirling.

Renting a car is another option for getting around Scotland.