Another glorious sunny day here in Glasgow. We’re sure many of you are planning a trip to your local park, perhaps meeting up with friends or family for the first time in a while. So this week’s #glasgowbuildingoftheweek is a bit different...it’s not a building, it’s a fountain! 
The Saracen Fountain in Alexandra Park, Dennistoun, was designed by David Watson Stevenson and manufactured by Walter Macfarlane & Co. at their Saracen foundry. It was commissioned as Macfarlane’s principal exhibit at the International Exhibition at Kelvingrove Park in 1901.
Macfarlane’s then gifted the fountain to the city and it was relocated to th Park in 1914. It stands 40ft tall. It’s central tower is based on the Choragic Monument of Lysicrates in Athens. There are 4 seated figures on the pedestals around the base. (glasgowsculpture.com)
They represent Literature (book on her lap), Science (holding a retort), Art (theatrical mask and lyre) and Commerce (seated on a ship). Arches flanking the figures are decorated with seashells and lion mask waterspouts. The sides of the pedestals incorporate signs of the Zodiac.
For many years the fountain was painted white and gold. It was restored in 2000, when a blue and gold colour scheme was chosen to match the original. Sadly the fountain has once again fallen into disrepair and only traces of the blue paint remain.
We’ll be doing a series of online talks about Glasgow’s parks and gardens this summer, details coming soon. A #glasgowparkoftheweek feature will accompany this, so let us know what your favourite park in the city is and why, and get tagging us in pics of your dead green place!
Our Dennistoun Kids Trail is available as a free download from our website if you’re local to the area and would like to take the wee ones exploring. glasgowheritage.org.uk/kidstrails/
