Cathedral Square, Glasgow facts for kids
Cathedral Square is a well-known public space in Glasgow, Scotland. It's located right next to the famous Glasgow Cathedral on High Street/Castle Street. This area is surrounded by many important Glasgow landmarks. You can find Provand's Lordship, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, the Necropolis, the Barony Hall of Strathclyde University, and the Glasgow Evangelical Church all very close by. Cathedral Square is one of six main public squares in Glasgow's city centre.
Before the 1870s, the area around the Cathedral was very crowded. There were many old houses and workshops, making it hard to get to the Infirmary and the Cathedral. A group called the City Improvement Trust, led by architect John Carrick, decided to clear these old buildings. They built new homes and opened a new road, John Knox Street. This new street even covered over a small river called the Molendinar Burn. In 1879, the Cathedral Square Gardens opened, designed by Carrick and landscaped by Duncan McMillan. A beautiful fountain, the Steven Fountain, was added in 1890. Besides being a peaceful spot, the square has also been used for public meetings and gatherings.
Contents
Famous Buildings Around the Square
Cathedral Square is surrounded by many interesting and historic buildings. Here are some of the most important ones:
Glasgow Evangelical Church
This church was built in 1880. It's a very important building, known as a Category A listed building. It has a beautiful Italian-style front and lovely classical designs inside. It was designed by architect John Honeyman.
Barony Hall
Built in 1889, the Barony Hall is another Category A listed building. It's made of red sandstone and was designed by Sir John James Burnet. Its inside design was inspired by Gerona Cathedral. Today, it's part of Strathclyde University.
Provand's Lordship
This is the oldest house still standing in Glasgow! It's also a Category A listed building. It gives us a peek into what Glasgow looked like a long time ago.
Glasgow Royal Infirmary
The Royal Infirmary is a large hospital that was rebuilt starting in 1914. It stands on the site of an even older hospital building from 1794.
Glasgow Cathedral
This is the oldest building in Glasgow, with parts dating back to the late 1100s! It's a very important historical and architectural site, also a Category A listed building.
Glasgow Necropolis
Opened in 1833, the Necropolis is a large garden cemetery. It's located on a hill right above Glasgow Cathedral. It's a fascinating place with many old monuments.
St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art
This museum opened in 1993 and was designed by architect Ian Begg. It sits right in the middle of the Victorian square and teaches visitors about different religions and their art.
Statues and Monuments
You'll find several statues and monuments in Cathedral Square, honoring important people from history:
King William III
This statue shows King William, who ruled with his wife Queen Mary starting in 1688. The statue was made in 1735 and moved to Cathedral Square in 1923.
David Livingstone
This statue honors David Livingstone, a famous Scottish doctor, missionary, and explorer. The statue was created in 1879.
John Knox
A memorial statue of John Knox, a very important Scottish religious leader and reformer, stands here. It was designed in 1825.
Other Statues
You can also find statues of other important figures like Rev Dr Norman McLeod, a local minister; James Arthur, a clothing maker; James Lumsden, a Lord Provost of Glasgow; James White, a chemicals manufacturer; and Queen Victoria, who was queen from 1837 to 1901.
Towards the end of the 1800s, there were plans to build a new entrance for the nearby Duke Street Prison at the edge of the square. However, people were very upset about this idea. They held meetings and successfully campaigned to save the green space of Cathedral Square. People loved the square and wanted to protect it, seeing it as a special place connected to Glasgow's history.
