Necropolis in a Metropolis Trivia Quiz

Answer: 1833

Historically, the responsibility for burying the dead in Britain lay with the parish church, but after a change in the law in 1832, 'burial for profit' was allowed. With Glasgow's growing population and decreasing number of people attending church, an alternative to the church burial grounds was clearly needed and the Glasgow Necropolis was officially opened in April 1833.

Answer: Père-Lachaise, Paris

The Glasgow Necropolis covers 37 acres and is an ornamental, garden cemetery with a landscape modelled on the famous Père-Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, established several decades earlier in 1804. John Strang, Chamberlain of Glasgow's Merchants' House, had visited Père-Lachaise and in 1831 produced a pamphlet called "Necropolis Glasguensis", which advocated the building of a new garden burial ground in Glasgow.

Answer: 3500

Around 50,000 people have been buried at the necropolis in approximately 3,500 tombs. The necropolis features an impressive assortment of ornately-decorated obelisks, statues and memorials.

Answer: Joseph Levi, a Jewish merchant

The first burial in the necropolis took place on September 12, 1832, the year before the cemetery officially opened, as the synagogue had already purchased a small section of the park to use as a Jewish burial ground. The first Christian burial in the necropolis was that of Elizabeth Miles, stepmother of the superintendent of the necropolis, George Mylne. Peter Clouston, Corlinda Lee and Charles Tennant are also buried in the necropolis.

Answer: Glasgow Cathedral

Glasgow Cathedral, also known as St Mungo's Cathedral, was built from the late 12th century onwards and is the oldest building in Glasgow. The necropolis is prominently situated on the hill to the east of the cathedral and can be accessed from the cathedral precinct through the Edington Gates.

Answer: Bridge of Sighs

Glasgow's Bridge of Sighs was built to a design by the architect James Hamilton in 1833. There are several other bridges with the same name located around the world, including the famous Bridge of Sighs in Venice, Italy, which passes over the Rio di Palazzo to the Doge's Palace.

Answer: The entrance gates

The cast iron entrance gates were designed by the architect David Hamilton and constructed in 1838 by Thomas Edington and Sons of the Phoenix Iron Works in Maryhill. The gates were originally sited on the western side of the Molindinar Ravine on the Bridge of Sighs before being relocated to the entrance from the Cathedral Precinct.

Answer: John Knox

The statue of John Knox was designed by William Warren and is mounted on a 58ft (17.78m) sandstone Doric column and base. Although Knox was buried in Edinburgh and not in Glasgow, the statue in the necropolis was the first to be erected to him in Scotland.

Answer: Charles Rennie Mackintosh

There are many Celtic crosses to be found in the Glasgow Necropolis, but the one which adorns Alexander McCall's grave was designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and is believed to be his first recorded solo commission. John Bryce, David Hamilton and Alexander Thomson were also Scottish architects who contributed designs for the necropolis.

Answer: Sir Walter Scott's novel "Waverley"

The necropolis had not yet been built when "Waverley" was published in 1814. However, it has featured prominently in other books, films and television series. In February 2020, filming for "The Batman" took place in and around the necropolis.