Tolbooth Steeple, Municipal tower at Glasgow Cross, Scotland
Tolbooth Steeple is a seven-story stone tower that rises at Glasgow Cross, marking where five major streets intersect. It features a clock and decorative crown sitting on a traffic island in the city center.
It was built in 1626 as part of the Tolbooth complex, serving as both a city prison and courthouse until 1814. During this period, 22 executions took place at the site, reflecting its central role in city justice.
The paved area at the tower's base served as a gathering place for wealthy tobacco merchants who displayed their status through red cloaks during the 1700s. This public performance of wealth became a defining feature of the location's social identity.
The tower sits on a traffic island at a busy intersection, so visitors should be careful when crossing streets to view it. The best way to experience it is by walking around the area and viewing it from different angles.
In 2021, the tower displayed climate data projections during COP-26, linking a medieval architectural landmark with modern environmental concerns. This unexpected use of contemporary technology showed how historic structures can speak to current global issues.
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