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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
Entertainment
Sean Murphy

The underrated Glasgow landmark named one of the most 'visually beautiful' in UK

Sitting proudly on a hill in the east end of Glasgow you'll find one of the city's most fascinating and often overlooked landmarks.

Glasgow Cathedral can easily rival Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Glasgow City Chambers in terms of grandeur and when it comes to history few can match what is considered to be the oldest building in the city.

In more modern times it's even been used as the backdrop in blockbuster films such as The Batman which was recently filmed there and the nearby Necropolis.

However, many Glaswegians would pass it by without much thought to its incredible history or its longstanding connection with the place we call home.

The Necropolis offers excellent views of Glasgow Cathedral. (Sam Mellish/Getty)

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It seems though that visitors to the city can't get enough of its gothic spires and medieval architecture and it was recently named in a study by the outdoor experts at GO Outdoors as one of the most Instagrammed free attractions in the UK.

Named alongside Isle of Arran landmark Goatfell, the Cathedral featured in over 26,000 posts with the #GlasgowCathedral.

Thought to have first been built between 1136 and 1484, it is considered to be Scotland’s largest place of worship.

The site was originally a pilgrimage destination containing the tomb of the founder and patron Saint of the city, St Kentigern (or as he is more better known, Mungo).

In fact, the city originally sprang up around the Cathedral itself and still houses the tomb of the saint, which you can visit in the crypt.

You also find the pulpitum, a richly carved stone screen between the choir and nave, which was added in the early 1400s, as well as an effigy of Bishop Wishart, who was an ally to both William Wallace and Robert the Bruce.

Open all year round, you can visit for free, though donations are welcome, between 10 am and 5 pm (Sunday, 1 pm to 5 pm) and there are Mobile Audio Guides on offer (£2 per person or £1 for children) telling the story of this fascinating landmark.

Just a short walk away you'll find another fascinating piece of the city's history, the Necropolis, where over 50,000 people are said to be buried and you'll find incredible views of not only the Cathedral itself but also the city's skyline.

Also close by is the St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art, which tells the history of this iconic historical figure.

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