WITH more than a million visitors visiting annually, it's fair to say Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is one of the jewels in Glasgow's cultural crown.
Since 1901 this red sandstone palace has taken pride of place by the banks of the River Kelvin, and today showcases the city's treasures to more than a million people a year.
A Recognised Collection of National Significance, Kelvingrove is the most visited museum in the UK outside of London, thanks to its extensive and varied collections.
From the work of Dutch Masters and French Impressionists , to a celebration of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and artifacts from ancient Egypt, the building shelters something for everyone under its be-steepled roof.
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We've gathered together some of the slightly more esoteric facts you may not know about the museum.
It was funded in part by a celebration of Glasgow's achievements during the Industrial Revolution
When Glasgow hosted the International Exhibition of Science, Art and Industry in 1888, the main aim was to draw the eyes of the world to the city's many accomplishments in those fields. But it was hoped enough money would be raised to help fund a museum and art gallery. With nearly six million visitors attending what would be the biggest exhibition ever outside London, a profit of £43,000 went a big way to covering the costs of what would become Kelvingrove.
It is NOT built back to front
One enduring city legend is that the building was constructed the wrong way round, prompting the architect to leap to his death from one of the towers. Unsurprisingly this is not true. Interestingly Charles Rennie Mackintosh actually submitted a design for the building. Glasgow's most famous architect was rejected however in favour of Sir John W. Simpson and E.J. Milner Allen's Spanish Baroque vision.
It was damaged during World War II
In 1941 a bomb was dropped on Kelvinway, causing extensive damage to the museum. More than 50 tons of glass was shattered, plaster casts in the Sculpture Court were marred and the organ was rendered unplayable. Luckily most of the museum's valuable works had been housed in secret locations across the country.
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The museum's Spitfire is not from World War II
One of the museum's most noticeable attractions, the aviation icon did not serve in the conflict it is most associated with. A Mark 21 model, Spitfire LA198 served with the 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron between 1947 and 1949. Today it hangs in Kelvingrove's West Court
Glasgow owns the copyright for one of Dali's most celebrated works
It's no secret the museum is home to the world famous Christ of St John of the Cross, the Dali masterpiece that has been described as the most enduring vision of the crucifixion painted in the 20th century. But not everyone knows that thanks to the astuteness of Dr Tom Honeyman, Director of Kelvingrove Art Gallery between 1939 and 1954, the painting was bought not just for less than the catalogue price, but along with the copyright for the work. Though the initial outlay (£8200) was high enough to cause protest from Glasgow School of Art students, who wanted to see the money spent on Scottish artists, today the dream-inspired religious work is estimated to be worth more than £60 million. Dr Honeyman is remembered today with the Honeyman Memorial Garden in the adjacent park.
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The organ pipes are fake
Kelvingrove's organ recitals are hugely popular, with several performances, such as a tribute piece following David Bowie's death, having been seen around the world online. But not many know the pipes in the public eye are non functional.
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The museum is home to a colony of bees
Since 1959 Kelvingrove has kept bees. The building's hive allows visitors to see the lifecycle of bees and look at how they make honey, as well as seeing the structure of the hive in detail.
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