2 Castle Street Glasgow G4 0RH Strathclyde Scotland
Collection details
Archaeology, Costume and Textiles, Decorative and Applied Art, Design, Fine Art, Photography, Religion, Social History, World Cultures
Open
Monday-Thursday & Saturday 10am-5pm, Friday & Sunday 11am-5pm
Closed
25 and 26 December
1 and 2 of January
Admission charges
Free. Some charges may apply for some temporary exhibitions. Please check website.
Description
This unique museum explores the importance of religion in people's lives across the world and across time. The building, which stands on the site of the medieval Bishop's Castle, was opened in April 1993.
The aim of the museum is to promote understanding and respect between people of different faiths and none.
Collections description
Displays occupy three floors and are divided into four exhibition areas: the Gallery of Religious Art, the Gallery of Religious Life, the Scottish Gallery and a temporary exhibition space. In the Gallery of Religious Art you can marvel at the world famous painting Christ of St John of The Cross by Salvador Dali and reflect on the awesome figure of the Hindu god Shiva, Lord of the Dance. The gallery is illuminated with a wealth of colours by beautiful stained glass windows depicting Christian saints and prophets. The Gallery of Religious Life explores the world's six main religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism. In this gallery you can listen to people of all religions talk about their faith and meet the Mexican Day of the Dead skeleton, celebrating the victory of life over death. The Scottish Gallery presents the fascinating story of how religion has shaped the culture and beliefs of people in the West of Scotland from earliest times to the present. You can admire the beautiful Sharing of Faiths Banner, celebrating the multi-faith city of Glasgow today. Beside the museum you can contemplate in Britain’s first permanent Zen garden, a masterpiece of simplicity, symbolising the harmony between people and nature. St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art is situated near Glasgow's magnificent Gothic cathedral and opposite Provand's Lordship, the oldest house in the city. From the museum you can enjoy unrivalled views over both the cathedral and the Necropolis, the dramatic nineteenth-century graveyard on the hill behind. The Zen Garden, Britain’s first permanent Japanese Zen Garden was created by Yasuataro Tanaka in the spring of 1993. Zen is a Buddhist method of contemplation and is part of the tradition of Dyana (Chinese Ch’an, Japanese Zen) which depends on the simple life and a rejection of worldly pleasures and a return to nature. The stones, gravel and grass represent - in miniature - mountains, water and land and are meant to inspire contemplation. The layout of the garden derives from the unbroken tradition studied by Mr Tanaka in Kyoto, Japan.
General Information
Brochure or leaflet available with directions to museum
Pre-booking service for groups
Foreign language leaflet or brochure available
Collections
General guide to collections available
Specialist publications on collections available
Object identification and/or written enquiry service
Disability Access
Events/teaching/resources for people with disabilities
Induction loops in exhibition spaces
Induction loops in lecture theatres
Parking for disabled available
Toilets for disabled
Touch exhibits and/or handling sessions
Wheelchair access to all public areas
Wheelchairs available for loan
Children and Families
Baby changing facilities
Events and resources for children and families
Gardens open to public
General Education
Academic publications and resources available
Adult lectures and courses held
Education facilities available
Loan service
Member of staff available with responsibility for education
Reception and lunch facilities for educational groups
Teaching/resources available for HE/FE students
Schools Education
Direct teaching services for schools
Primary school education service available
Printed/audio-visual information available for schools
Secondary school education service available
Facilities
Auditorium
Cafeteria
Facilities for private functions and events
Gardens open to public
Meeting room available
Refreshments
Research facilities for academics
Restaurant
Shop
