Many people in Glasgow, Scotland, pass the impressive City Chambers building every day with no idea of the magnificent opulence awaiting inside.
Step inside the stately structure, and you’ll realize the phrase “more marble than the Vatican” is no exaggeration. The Scottish building has even been used as a stand-in for the Vatican in films.
The City Chambers also boast Western Europe’s largest marble staircase. The three ornate levels were built using Carrara marble imported from Italy.
Glasgow’s City Chambers were designed by William Young, who won the bid amid a competition between 125 entries. The building was completed in 1888 and opened by Queen Victoria.
The City Chambers are not typically open to the public, but they have free 45-minute tours twice a day at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Tours are filled on a first-come, first-served basis and can fit groups of up to 25 people.
Tours are located through the main entrance, located on the George Square side of the building.
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