Glasgow City Chambers

This ornate seat of the city council dominates the east side of George Square and stands as a monument to Victorian civic pride. Opened by Queen Victoria in 1888, its exterior blends Italianate and classical styles, while the interior is famous for lavish marble staircases, mosaic ceilings and banqueting halls. The building has stood in for the Vatican and other grand settings in numerous films. Free guided tours allow visitors to see the loggia, council chamber and the sweeping Carrara marble stairway.