Bishop's Castle, Medieval castle near Glasgow Cathedral, Scotland.
Bishop's Castle was a medieval fortress in Glasgow, Scotland, that served as the official residence of the city's bishops for several centuries. It had a central tower, vaulted rooms, kitchens, and banqueting halls, and stood near Glasgow Cathedral on high ground overlooking the city.
The castle was built in the 12th century and remained the seat of Glasgow's bishops for hundreds of years. After the Glorious Revolution of 1689, it passed into Crown ownership and slowly fell apart, leaving almost nothing standing above ground today.
A stone with a modern plaque on Cathedral Square marks the spot where the most powerful religious residence in the city once stood. Some carved stones from the medieval building are now on display in the crypt of Glasgow Cathedral, just a short walk away.
The site is easy to reach on foot from central Glasgow and sits right next to Glasgow Cathedral on Cathedral Square. No special preparation is needed, as it is an open public space that can be visited at any time.
During excavations, archaeologists found a medieval roof tile with a dog paw print baked into it, made when the clay was still wet. This small detail shows that animals wandered freely around the workshop where tiles were made, leaving a trace that lasted for centuries.
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