Saint Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art, Glasgow

Anyone who is religious-minded or simply curious about religion in general shouldn’t miss furthering their education at the Saint Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art.

In spite of the building’s Scottish Baroque appearance, it was built in 1989 and opened its doors to the public in 1993.

The museum is all about promoting the understanding of all the major religions. A few people know a lot about the subject, a lot of people know a little about it and little knowledge gives rise to racism. In this day and age, it is a great place to take children to help them to separate facts from fantasy and prejudice.

There are four galleries, three of which house permanent exhibitions: the Gallery of Religious Life, the Scottish Gallery (which explains how religion shaped the beliefs and culture of the country), and the Gallery of Religious Art.

The fourth gallery hosts temporary exhibitions relating to any one of the major religions: Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism and Sikhism. You will see statues and paintings of Shiva, Buddha, Jesus and Moses, while stained glass panels depict various Christian saints. Of course, there are no statues or paintings of Mahomet, but there are verses from the Koran.

Why You Should Visit:
Free to enter and easy to walk around, with colorful displays, historic tributes and artistic designs on show. Also: a gift shop, a lovely Zen garden, a café, and friendly staff.
With something to interest anyone and homage to all walks of life, all visitors should be able to appreciate what this museum has to offer.

Tip:
If you go in, don't miss the super views of the Cathedral and of the Necropolis from the top floor!