The Mercat Cross of Glasgow
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Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to the crossroads of history. We stand at the Mercat Cross, or Market Cross, of Glasgow. …
Listen in the app2The Heraldic Unicorn — Symbol of a Nation
Let us focus our attention on the figure atop the pillar—the Unicorn. You will find unicorns throughout Scotland, but their presence on Mercat Crosses is particularly significant. …
Listen in the app3The Drum Base and the Proclamation Platform
Many Mercat Crosses, including the famous one in Edinburgh and our own reconstruction here, feature an octagonal or circular base known as a 'drum.' This was not merely for aesthetic weight; it was a functional stage. Inside the…
Listen in the app4Justice and Shame at the Cross
The Mercat Cross was not always a place of celebration; it was also the primary site for public punishment. In the Scottish legal tradition, justice was meant to be seen. …
Listen in the app5The Reformation and the Changing Symbols
The history of the Mercat Cross is also the history of Scotland’s religious shifts. Before the Reformation in 1560, the crosses often featured religious icons, such as images of the Virgin Mary or local saints. …
Listen in the app6The Marketplace — The Heart of the Trongate
The very name 'Mercat' tells us that this was the commercial heart of the city. For centuries, the area surrounding the cross was a sea of stalls and activity. …
Listen in the app7The Tolbooth Steeple and the Civic Center
Just adjacent to the Mercat Cross stands the Tolbooth Steeple, the last remaining part of Glasgow’s original town hall. Built in 1626, this tower was the center of the city’s administration. …
Listen in the app8Closing
As we conclude our time at the Mercat Cross, I invite you to take one last look at the Unicorn, silhouetted against the Glasgow sky. This monument is a survivor. …
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What is The Mercat Cross of Glasgow?
The Mercat Cross of Glasgow is a place with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Type | Heritage |
|---|---|
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 55.8568, -4.2436 |
| Last updated |
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