Here the legends of the antiquity are deeply read, without looking at the signs on the walls of the palaces. The city with his stone streets, connected by practically vertical stairs, seems to be a reliable scenery to the Gothic films of Tima Burton, and brown houses with pipes and black keba, resembling their kind of carriage, additionally strengthen the illusion that you got into the past. Only modern clothing of local residents causes dissonance. You look at them and think: a broad-grade hat and inversion raincoat from a tweed melton would be looked at times more appropriate.
Behind the stone wall
The reason, according to which Edinburgh managed not to confuse historical authenticity, banal. The renovation plan of the capital of Scotland was adopted back in 1768. That is why the house in the new part of the city is not too different from the houses of the old part. Even relative to the "fresh" memorial on the Kalton hill, built in the XIX century in memory of the Scottish soldiers who died in Napoleonic wars, it seems unless native, then the cousin of the Edinburgh Castle, erected on the Castle Mount King David I in the distant XII century .
Acquaintance with the city should start just with inspection of an impregnable stronghold deservedly called "key to Scotland." To fully appreciate the reliability of the fortification structure, it is not necessary to approach it not by the royal mile, but a little on the side. The claims of historians for films in which medieval cities and castles are becoming become clear, in which medieval cities and castles are acquired by one and only fortress wall! The Edinburgh Castle was erected on a sheer cliff, surrounded by a multi-level belt of defensive walls and is equipped with a complex system of double gate - in a word, you won't take such a fortress with a banal assault.
Edinburgh Castle erected on a sheer cliff
Photo: pixabay.com/ru.
By the way, the fortifications and today did not fully lose its functions. Inside the castle, the jewelry of the Scottish Crown is stored, as well as the fate stone that was used for coronation, and although the treasury, where tourists are allowed, equipped with alarm, guides are joking that the ancient walls of the castle - at times the best protection against robbers than any achievements of scientific program progress.
Palace coup
They say, in the XV century, the king of Yakov IV transported the mona yard from the fortified castle to the Palace Holyr for considerations of comfort: the wind is very blowing on top of the mountain, so it is unpleasant to stay there. The path from the castle to the palace and there is a famous royal mile - the main street of Edinburgh. The Palace of Choloda, although an old, but residential: Queen Elizabeth II stops there during the annual trips to Scotland. By the way, at the end of the XIX century, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert loved here. The monarch chet was fond of drawing, and therefore, sitting by the window, writing etudes from the Palace of the ruins of Holurodsky Abbey located near the Palace: many centuries ago, his roof was covered, but the gothic ruins retained from love to the beautiful.
Memorial on the Kalton hill built in memory of the Scottish soldiers who died in Napoleonic wars
Photo: pixabay.com/ru.
However, the most famous person who lived in Holiruda is Maria Stewart, whose rooms have come to this day in a non-modified time. All guests of the Palace definitely tell the story of David Riccio - the court musician and the secretary of the Queen. Its too frequent presence in the bedroom of Mary Stewart could not like the Scottish Lordam: March 9, 1566, they broke into the quarters of the Queen and inflicted the musician fifty-seven knife wounds. Today, the place of the murder of Ricco is marked by a memorable board, and the voice in the audio guide recommends the guests to look closely, in order to distinguish the spots of dried blood on the floor. To confess, I did not see anything that I was not surprising: before the arrival of Elizabeth II, the ministers of choliruda spend in all the halls of the palace of general cleaning.
Scary fairy tales
Do you think that Holyrud is a terrible place? I hurry to disperse you. In Edinburgh, histories in the style of gothic horror films are proud, because, according to guides, a record number of ghosts for one square kilometer lives in the capital of Scotland.
The place of their mass accumulation is underground dead end Mary King. In the past, an ordinary street, however, in the XVIII century, she was inspired, and she turned out to be buried under the ground. The entrance is located near the Gothic Cathedral of St. Egidia. Tupik Mary King is an analogue of a gloomy catacomb with once living houses. By the way, many of the ghosts living here - just the victims of the Renovation of Edinburgh, people who did not have time to leave at home in time.
Sky Terrier Bobby became famous for his loyalty: he guarded his owner's grave for fourteen years. Now tourists rub the nose of the statue for good luck
Photo: pixabay.com/ru.
Another mandatory point on the map for lovers to rinse your nerves - Pub Maggie Dickson, or "half-and-free Maggie." In 1723, she became pregnant from the son of the restaurant owner, and Rodiva, left the baby on the banks of the Tweed River. For this, the girl was sentenced to the death penalty, but when Maggie's relatives were driving home, she was alive. Pub, whoaring her name, is open on Grassmarket Street, where public executions were held in the old days.
By the way, there is a theory that this terrible story inspired Joan Rowling, who wrote most of the books about Harry Potter just in Edinburgh. Mall, semi-lowered Maggie is a prototype of almost hegueless Nick - ghost of Gryffindor. Moreover, Ptterian fans believe that the names of some of their characters the writer borrowed from the tombstones of the ancient cemetery of the Franciscan Church of Greyriar's Kirk. Of course, there is no reliable evidence of this, but there is indeed the grave of some Thomas Reddla - the complete thesis of the grandfather of Voland Mort and his own.
But what exactly the Scotland inspired Diana Gabldon to create a stranger's novels cycle, the main character of which mistakenly moved to the XVIII century, they are not surprised at all - after all, when you wander through the streets of Edinburgh, the feeling that I did not get here not on the plane, And with the help of a time machine, sometimes it seems frighteningly truthful. He does not need to resist. In the end, such places on the planet on the fingers can be sorted.
Royal Mile - Edinburgh Central Street and one of the main attractions
Photo: pixabay.com/ru.
Our advice to you ...
Hayking lovers worth climbing the top of the throne Arthur - the extinct volcano, the climb begins from the Palace Holyrr. According to one of the legends, the legendary Camelot of King Arthur was located here.
Before you travel, check the website of the Edinburgh Castle: Sometimes it is open at night or there is a light show.
From the dishes of national cuisine, it is worth trying Haggis - crushed barans of luxury with bow, interpretation, lard, seasonings and salt. The description sounds frightening, but the taste of Haggis is good.
Those who wish to have fun in the evening makes sense to go to George Street Street. Pubs and bars here for every taste.
Well, the worships of Joan Rowling can be advised to visit the Spoon cafe, where she worked on the book about the young wizard.