Top architectural sightseeing and landmarks of Edinburgh - ideas on city exploration routes

» The Edinburgh Castle is the ancient fortress in the center of Edinburgh, which is the most important and attractive tourist attraction of the Scottish capital.
» The castle was built on the rock that was once an active volcano.
» The castle has been built in the early Middle Ages and was rebuilt several times. In the end, it was adapted for the defense of land from artillery.
» Three sides of the fortress are protected by steep cliffs, so access to the castle is available just across the road on the east side. By the way, you can pass only through the esplanade, a long empty inclined portion of the fortress, where the annual parade of the Royal Edinburgh Military Orchestras is held.
» The oldest building in Edinburgh, the St. Margaret Chapel, stands on the grounds of the castle. The crown of Scotland is also kept at the Edinburgh Castle.
» The Edinburgh Castle is one of several ancient castles in the UK, which still has its own military garrison, although it's used mainly for ceremonial and administrative purposes.

» The St Giles Cathedral is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Edinburgh.
» The amazing cathedral attracts with its medieval architecture and the fact that it keeps many relics.
» The temple was consecrated in honor of the saint who is the patron of cripples and lepers, and is also considered the patron saint of Edinburgh.
» Many well-known and honored citizens of Scotland were buried in the cathedral.
» For nearly three centuries after the Reformation in 1560, the cathedral has being used not for religious purposes. At various times, there were a fire station, a police station, a store of coal and a school. There was even a prison inside the cathedral.

» Balmoral Hotel is the five star hotel located in the heart of the city, and one of the attractions of Edinburgh.
» The hotel is famous for its giant clock on the tower that became a symbol of the city. The height of the tower is 58 m.
» The hotel has 188 rooms, of which 20 are suites.
» The hotel was built in close proximity to the Waverley train station.
» Visitors of the hotel always come to the train just in time, as the clock on the tower of the hotel traditionally gains two minutes.

» The St. Cuthbert Church was built on the site of the ruins of six other churches that have existed there in different periods of time.
» Official opening of the church was held 31st May 1896.
» The main features are amazing stained glass windows of the church and a great Chair of marble.
» The entire interior of the church is made in style of the Italian Renaissance.
»  The church is open for free visits from Monday to Friday.

» The St. Andrew St. George Church was built in 1784. The project of this unusual building of elliptical shape was developed by the military engineer Andrew Fraser.
» The interior of the church is decorated with a portico and ceiling rosettes created following ancient Roman models.
» In 1787, the bell tower of the church was crowned with 51-meter spire.
» You can visit the St. Andrew and St. George Church any day; entrance is free.
» The premises of the church constantly host concerts of organ, choral and symphonic music. There is a cafe on the church territory, where you can eat and enjoy items of the exhibition.

» The University of Edinburgh was founded in 1583. That's the public university and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
» The university is the third most popular in the UK and one of the most prestigious universities in the world.
» Such celebrities as David Hume, Charles Darwin, Robert Stevenson, Conan Doyle and others were educated in the University of Edinburgh.
» The University of Edinburgh has turned the Scotland's capital into cosmopolitan city with a student population of about 60,000 people.

» During the construction of the National Monument of Scotland the Parthenon in Athens has been chosen as a model of the large-scale project.
» Most of locals still call the monument ‘the Scottish Disgrace’, ‘the Edinburgh Fad’ or ‘the pride and poverty in Scotland’. The fact is that there weren’t enough funds for the completion of the construction, which has begun in 1822, and construction activities were stopped already in 1829.
» It was assumed that the monument will perpetuate the memory of Scottish soldiers who died in the Napoleonic Wars. It was planned to dig catacombs for the burial place under the monument.
» Many times it has being decided to finish the monument or to turn it into the new building for the Parliament or the National Gallery. However, it still represents an unfinished building with 12 columns offering amazing panoramic views of Edinburgh.

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Facts: » The Museum on the Mound is the museum dedicated to money, located in the department of the Royal Bank of Scotland.
» The museum was opened in 2006 and since the opening it was considered one of the most interesting and amazing museums in Edinburgh.
» The venue attracts attention with unusual theme that unites all of the exhibits: they are all connected with money in one way or another.
» Museum exposition embraces other sectors of human activity; it's closely related to the evolution of money, its design, new technology, crime, trade and security.
» The museum also tells the story of the oldest bank in Scotland and history of the building, where the department is situated, as well as the Royal Bank of Scotland.