HAVE you heard the one about Glasgow City Chambers having more marble than the Vatican?

It’s one of many myths circulating about the George Square building, but it’s extremely unlikely, according to an author who is writing a book about the city landmark.

“I mean, the Vatican is like a marble quarry, it has so much of it,” says Nina Baker, smiling.

“What we can say, though, is that the grand marble staircase inside the building has around four times as much marble as the famous ‘holy stairs’ in the Vatican.

“There are well over 100 steps in the City Chambers, and only about 26 steps in La Scala Sancta – so that claim is certainly true.”

(Image: Newsquest)

Nina, who was a councillor in Glasgow from around 2007 to 2017, is researching the history of the City Chambers for her latest book and she is hoping Glasgow Times readers can help.

“I have lots of people willing to tell me about the goings-on inside the building, but what I’m looking for are stories about the building itself,” she says, wryly.

“I’m looking for the oldest ‘living memories’ I can find from visitors or people who worked there.

“I’d love to talk to the workies, the people behind the scenes who might have been involved in putting in electrics or boilers, for example, or the steeplejacks who cleaned the stonework in the 90s – what tales can they tell me about the place?”

(Image: Gordon Terris/Newsquest)

She adds: “I’m also collecting the myths and legends, what Glaswegians believe about the building, which may or may not be true.”

The City Chambers were designed by Paisley-born, London-based architect William Young, who won a competition organised by the city.

A public holiday was declared on October 6, 1883, for the laying of the foundation stone. Around 600,000 people watched a trades’ march of skilled workers from the city’s heavy industries as Lord Provost John Ure did the honours.

(Image: Glasgow City Archives)

In August 1888, the topmost stone – the apex of the central tower – was installed, and Queen Victoria performed the inauguration ceremony. In 1889, a 10-day public viewing attracted 400,000 people.

The pediment above the main entrance shows Queen Victoria enthroned and surrounded by figures of Scotland, Ireland and Wales receiving homage and congratulations of her subjects from all parts of the world.

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(The original proposal was to illustrate the Clyde and the city’s manufacturing going to all parts of the world, but it was changed to mark the Queen’s jubilee in 1887.)

Above the pediment are statues representing Truth, Riches and Honour. At the very top, Truth is known by some as Glasgow’s Statue of Liberty because it bears more than a passing resemblance to the famous New York lady.

The building’s beautiful Banqueting Hall includes murals by several famous Glasgow Boys, depicting Glasgow’s past, present and future. These are lit by huge electric chandeliers, which are winched down annually for cleaning.

Nina’s fascination with the building began almost by accident.

“I discovered by chance that there are tunnels beneath the old building, which connect it underground to the ‘new’ bit, which was built in 1913,” she explains.

“These were used as archive stores, coal and ash stores, and it was fascinating to have a nosey around.”

(Image: Newsquest)

Upstairs, there is an old members’ library, full of fascinating books preserved in glass cases.

“When the library moved to the Mitchell, doubles of the books were made to ensure the shelves in this lovely room were populated,” says Nina.

“In one of the cupboards, there were enormous leatherbound books, about a metre high, which were the city scrapbooks.

“Those are fascinating – they are full of records like seating plans and menus from city events.”

Asking Nina for her favourite spot in the whole building is “too difficult a question,” she says, with a laugh.

“Although standing at the bottom of the marble staircase looking up is hard to beat,” she says.

“In the 10 years I was a councillor, every single time I walked into the building, I thought – what a privilege to work here. It really is an amazing place.”

Can you help Nina by sharing your stories about Glasgow City Chambers? Email ann.fotheringham@glasgowtimes.co.uk or write to Ann Fotheringham, Glasgow Times, 125 Fullarton Drive, Glasgow G32 8FG.