St Mungo Museum of Religious Life & Art

The St Mungo Museum of Religious Life & Art is one of the few museums in the world dedicated to exploring faith and spirituality. Located in the heart of Glasgow’s medieval quarter, beside the city’s cathedral, the museum invites visitors to discover how people across the globe have experienced religion throughout history. Its collections range from ancient artefacts and sacred texts to contemporary artworks that celebrate the diversity of belief.

• Admission: Free, though donations are welcome.
• Accessibility: Fully accessible with lifts, ramps, and facilities for visitors with additional needs.

Some of our favourite highlights

The tranquil Zen garden, a peaceful outdoor space for reflection.
A remarkable collection of Christian, Islamic, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, and Jewish artefacts.
Thought-provoking artworks that explore themes of faith, identity, and humanity.
Displays on rituals, festivals, and traditions from cultures around the world.
The museum’s location next to Glasgow Cathedral and the Necropolis, adding to the sense of history and spirituality.

Zen Garden

Britain’s first permanent Zen garden, designed in the Japanese Zen Buddhist tradition to mirror the deep calm of the natural world in a highly stylized way. Water is often represented with sand or pebbles; mountains with stone; and islands with moss or rocks.

Religious Clothing 

The museum’s collections are both diverse and rich, offering clothing from a variety of religious traditions including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, and more.

Religious Art

The museum’s collections are both diverse and rich, offering art work from a variety of religious traditions including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, and more.

Visiting Information

Why Visit?

The St Mungo Museum of Religious Life & Art is a truly unique place. Rather than focusing on one tradition, it brings together stories, objects, and art from many of the world’s major faiths, encouraging understanding and dialogue. Whether you’re religious, curious, or simply interested in learning about global cultures, the museum offers a welcoming space to explore big questions about life, belief, and meaning.

For those seeking calm in the bustle of the city, the museum provides moments of stillness. The Zen garden is a particular highlight, offering a rare opportunity for peaceful reflection in the city centre. Inside, interactive displays and carefully chosen exhibits make the subject of religion accessible to all ages.

Visiting the museum also offers the chance to explore Glasgow’s oldest quarter. With Glasgow Cathedral, the Provand’s Lordship, and the Necropolis nearby, the St Mungo Museum is perfectly placed for a day of history, culture, and contemplation.

Free to enter and designed to be both thought-provoking and inclusive, the St Mungo Museum of Religious Life & Art is a must-see for anyone wanting to experience the rich diversity of human belief in a single, inspiring location.