Edinburgh Castle, located on the summit of Castle Rock, has served Scotland for centuries, alternately serving as a stronghold, royal residence, seat of government, arsenal and prison.
Perched on a rocky spur of volcanic origin and surrounded on three sides by steep walls, it dominates the Scottish capital.
The occupation of the site dates back to the Bronze Age and several archaeological excavations have indicated that the top of the mountain was inhabited around 900 BC.
In 1130 the Castle became a royal residence, with the construction of the private chapel. Today it is the oldest part of the ancient fortress.
Despite its fearsome position, the castle often found itself in difficulty during sieges, passing several times under English control.
Although it maintained its function as a stronghold throughout the Middle Ages, unfortunately no trace remains of the castle or the fortifications prior to the eleventh century.
Numerous objects of great historical value are preserved in the castle, among which the most important is the Stone of Scone. Also known as the Stone of Destiny, the sandstone block was linked to the coronations of medieval Scottish kings.
Legend has it that Scottish rulers will only be able to rule where the Stone of Destiny is located. Stolen by Edward I of England in 1296 in an act of political propaganda, the stone was finally returned to Scotland only in 1996.
The Crown Room of the castle houses the Scottish Crown Jewels known as the “Honours of Scotland”. These objects date back to the sixteenth century and include the crown, the sceptre and the sword. Royal jewels were first used in the coronation of Mary Queen of Scots in 1543.
A cannon fires a shot from the Castle’s balcony at 1pm, a tradition that began in 1861 and served as a signal for time adjustment during the navigation of ships in transit.
The castle is Scotland’s most popular tourist attraction, and along with the city of Edinburgh, it has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
