The "Bridge of Sighs" was built in 1833 by James Hamilton, the son of the more famous architect David Hamilton. It was erected to cross the Molendinar Ravine from Cathedral Square to the new Necropolis, the "city of the dead," that was opened on the old Merchants' Park. The name "Bridge of Sighs" is sometimes said to derive from that of the Ponte dei Sospiri in Venice, which linked the criminal courts with the city's prisons. More likely it refers to the sadness of funeral processions crossing from the Cathedral to the Necropolis.
In 1877 the Molendinar Burn was culverted over and Wishart Street was built along the course of the ravine.
Reference: Mitchell Library, GC 914.14353 CUL/SCO
Reproduced with the permission of Glasgow City Council, Libraries Information and Learning
Keywords:
Bridge of Sighs, bridges, burns, cemeteries, cemetery, children, Glasgow Cathedral, Merchants' Park, Molendinar Burn, Necropolis, ravines, steeples, streams, towers, women
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