The Necropolis

Question 1

Planning

Answer 1

Planning for the necropolis began in 1831 by the Merchant House of Glasgow, as a nationwide response to growing populations and fewer people attending church (perviously the parish church was responsible for burying the dead).

Question 2

Opening

Answer 2

opened in 1833, however, prior to this jewish burial ground had been established in the north west of the land (the necropolis was multi-faith but because of their belief systems, Jewish people were buried on a separate plot. The first person to be buried here was Joseph Levi, a jewish jeweller who died of cholera in 1832.
- Charles Tennant, a chemist and arguably one of Scotland’s greatest businessmen, is buried in the necropolis with a monument in the form of a seated figure. He discovered bleaching powder, which he took out a patent on.

Question 3

Facts

Answer 3

necroplis translates to ‘city of the dead’ (Ancient Greek)
- covers 37 acres and is considered one of Glasgow’s most haunted locations, with 50000 individuals reforged to be buried here.

Question 4

Illegal burials

Answer 4

Illegal burials often took place, with people digging as deep as 14 feet below ground to bury their loved ones in order to sell back the land above to those who could afford a proper burial.