The capital city of Scotland, is one of the main tourist areas in Great Britain, due to its historic and cultural complexity. A true centre of the Scottish culture, Edinburgh stands out as the owner of one the finest collections of medieval and Georgian architecture, as well as the seat of many stone tenements that contribute to its cultural strength.
Once a Roman military fortification, the settlement was conquered by the Anglo tribes, and the very name of the city dates back to that mighty period, as it means Edwin’s fort. The termination “burgh” in the name is the Saxon equivalent of the German “burg” as it could refer to both the fortification as such or to a group of buildings or a town.
The main remnant of Edinburgh’s past is the Old Town that has maintained the same medieval plan; here many of the Reformation buildings have a high preservation level. The main feature of the Old Town is the presence of an impressive number of squares marking the spots of major historic buildings, as we shall see.
The city has all the beauty of a medieval town with the castle perched up a hill and with the rest of the main streets running down from it. Definitely, a main tourist attraction, the castle is considered Scotland’s symbol, since evidence shows inhabitance levels on this site that date back to the 9th century BC. It also Houses the Royal Scots Regiment whose function is mainly ceremonial.
One other terrific sight is St. Giles’ Cathedral also known as the High Kirk of Edinburgh. Many refer to it today as the mother church of Presbyterianism ever since the 17th century. Dedicated to the patron saint of lepers and cripples, St. Giles. The oldest part of the Cathedral consists of four large pillars that date back to 1120. It was only over the centuries that other pillars and chapels were added, till the Cathedral counted no less than fifty altars.
There is one other sight in Edinburgh that is just as famous as the Castle: Arthur’s Seat, a group of hills in Holyrood Park situated right in the middle of Edinburgh. With an excellent panoramic view, this area is very popular for tourists who want to climb and walk over a place full of legend where once King Arthur might have trodden, given the fact that one of the hills is named after him.
However, beyond all the history sites and culture ladden buildings, there is one particular thing about Edinburgh that attracts millions of tourists every year: the annual Festivals. Without exaggeration, the population of the city doubles every August at the begining or the Edinburgh Fringe, the largest art maniestation of this kind in the world. Other famous events are the Edinburgh International Festival, The Military Tattoo and the International Film Festival.
No matter which time of the year you’re visiting Edinburgh, there is certainly something to tempt you. Visitors will always have some entertainment options to choose from, as the festivals cover the entire year not just summer. There are great jazz performances and modern art shows, usually advertised in advance. So you can find the whole range of festivities and unique events by a simple search on the Internet.
We should include the local food discovery as part of any touristic tour in Edinburgh. Trust me, this city is a true gourmet paradise. From the local raspberries and strawberries to fresh sea food, there is a lot to choose from. During the festivals, you may even take part in the tasting sessions, where you can try some very fine food or cookery demonstrations. Such unique experiences are deinitely the order of the day when you visit Edinburgh!