Glasgow

Travelers' Takes

Rates and Deals

City Chambers

More Photos
artslover
artslover
First Reviewer
5 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
1
Review
4
Photos
Editor Pick

City Chambers

  • May 17, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by artslover from Calgary, Alberta
City Chambers

At the heart of Glasgow's city centre is George Square. Facing it is the building which houses Glasgow's City Council. It is a building you can hardly miss seeing. We left the Queen's Street railway station, which is across the street from a corner of George Square, and found ourselves staring at the City Chambers. It is an impressive looking building.

The building was built in the late Victorian era combining neoclassical and Gothic elements to make an imposing symbol of Glasgow's political power and wealth.

The building has four floors, only some of which are open to the public.

We looked around the ground floor, which contains a cross-shaped hall with mosaic floor and many granite columns supporting an ornate ceiling. The entrance is at the head of this cross, whose main axis runs east towards the reception desk. In the north arm, to your left as you enter, is the remembrance lamp and role of honour (in a glass case); to the right (south), the arm contains gifts, which have been made to Glasgow (also in glass cases). As you walk towards the reception area, you pass between two rows of pillars. Between these pillars and the walls is a range of comfortable sofas and tables.

From the reception desk, there are two ornate arches which mark the beginning of short corridors leading to the staircases. They are called the Working Staircase and the Marble Staircase.

At the Working Staircase, you can view the gifts, in glass cases, but the stairs are not for public use. At the foot of the Marble Staircase are also gifts to the city, in glass cases.

There are also public guided tours offered twice a day which are free and do not require booking. There is no admission charged to go inside and look around on your own. Even if you only have a few moments to look, it is well worth a stop to view the very impressive multi-coloured stone interior.

From journal Friendly Glasgow

Compare Glasgow Rates

1. Enter travel information

City

2. Select websites to compare rates

Each selected website will open a new window.

Helpful Glasgow Links

Glasgow Travel Deals