Southern Necropolis, Glasgow

The Southern Necropolis is a large cemetery in the Gorbals district containing thousands of graves and Victorian monuments in varying styles. The grounds feature winding paths that lead visitors past elaborate stone structures of different periods and designs.

The cemetery opened in 1833 after legislation allowed burial as a commercial activity to solve overcrowding in church graveyards. This reform transformed Glasgow's burial practices and established private cemeteries as a standard solution.

The Jewish section shows how Glasgow's religious communities needed their own burial spaces, reflecting the city's diversity in the 1800s. Visitors can see the distinctive gravestones and understand how different traditions coexisted within the same grounds.

The cemetery is accessible on foot with paths that allow visitors to explore different sections at their own pace. It is best to walk leisurely and take time to examine the details of the monuments and surroundings.

An ornate stone bridge from 1836 known as the Bridge of Sighs connects the entrance to the main grounds because funeral processions once crossed it. This bridge remains a distinctive feature that visually links the entry with the cemetery grounds.