Edinburgh is a beautiful city located in Scotland, UK. If there is one part of this beautiful place that stands out, it is the famous Edinburgh Castle, a fortress that is easily seen when located in an elevated area. This old fortress is located on a rock of volcanic origin and has had a military use until the XNUMXth century, although today it is a place of visit and a civil space.
El Edinburgh Castle is the pay attraction that most tourists visit in Scotland, and it is not for less, since it is an impressive castle and the main attraction of the city. We are going to know a little more about this castle and all its points of interest, as well as what we have to do to see it.
A Little History
Edinburgh Castle sits on top of an extinct volcano, so its base is a solid volcanic rock. It is known that already there was a fortification in the XNUMXth century but its function is not well understood. It is from the eleventh century when the Edinburgh fortress is known, which became an important place of residence for the kings of Scotland. During the XNUMXth century this castle was taken by the English, who captured King William the Lion. During the subsequent Scottish War of Independence it changed hands and in the fourteenth century it was once again the residence of King David II, who ordered the construction of a defensive line and what is known as the Tower of David, where he resided. Thus the castle began to have its current shape.
How to get to Edinburgh Castle
The city of Edinburgh is a very important tourist spot. To get to the famous castle we can walk along the well-known Royal Mile. This street is wide and in it we can find endless shops where you can buy souvenirs and typical Scottish things. The castle is accessed by a slope, since it is located on Castle Hill, as the hill on which it is located is called. It is necessary to take into account the schedules, since from April to September it opens from 9.30:18.00 a.m. to 17.00:XNUMX p.m., while the rest of the year it opens until XNUMX:XNUMX p.m. The recommendation is to go early to better enjoy each corner, since it is one of the busiest places in the city. It is recommended to purchase tickets in advance on the website in order to enjoy a discount.
What to see in the castle
Edinburgh Castle is worth a leisurely visit as it has many sights to see. Inside we have museums and rooms, but we can also enjoy the amazing views of Edinburgh city from the heights, an experience not to be missed.
One o'clock cannon
This is one of the canyons most visited by tourists. It has the peculiarity that just at one o'clock, since 1861, it is fired to signal the time. This was done so that the sailors could adjust the chronometer and it began to synchronize with the time ball of Calton Hill since the fog did not allow to see it sometimes.
Chapel of Santa Margarita
At the entrance of the enclosure we can see the oldest part of the castle, which is this Chapel of Santa Margarita. It dates from the XNUMXth century and was the chapel where the kings of Scotland went to witness the services without having to leave the castle.
The Honors of Scotland
In the area of the royal palace is where we can see the Crown Jewels, known by that peculiar name. In this room you can see the Sword of the State, the Crown and the Scepter. These symbols of power are perfectly preserved and offer us the vision of the Scottish royal attributes.
mons meg
This is a great siege cannon that can be seen in the castle and dating from the XNUMXth century. It is one of the oldest siege guns in Europe and is also one of the largest. Do not miss the opportunity to take a photo with him.
The Royal Palace
In this area of the castle we can see the palace that was remodeled by the son of María Estuardo, James VI. Inside we can see the central room with a huge old fireplace, as well as an exhibition on the kings of Scotland. It is also where the Crown Jewels are.
Near the castle
This castle is located near many other places of interest in the city. Just a few meters away we can see the Scotch Whiskey Experience, where you can learn a little more about the history of whiskey. The gardens from which the castle can be seen perfectly are the Princes Street Gardens, a place that is also very visited by tourists and is located near the castle.