2024 UK Trip (IV): Edinburgh Castle.

Edinburgh Castle stands on a rugged granite peak 135 meters above sea level, overlooking the city of Edinburgh. It can be seen from every corner of the city center and is known as the "Pearl on the Crown of Scotland". The charm of Edinburgh Castle lies in its age. Edinburgh Castle became a fortress of the Scottish royal family in the 6th century, more than 400 years earlier than Windsor Castle in England and more than 600 years earlier than Heidelberg Castle in Germany. From the 12th to the 16th century, it was the residence of the Scottish royal family and the national administrative center. It was not until the early 16th century that a Royal Mile was built to the newly completed Holyrood Palace, which replaced Edinburgh Castle as the new main residence of the royal family. Since the 17th century, Edinburgh Castle has become a military fortress and national prison, with troops stationed there. The castle has a slope on one side and cliffs on three sides. As long as the castle gate on the slope is guarded, it is as solid as a rock and cannot be opened by anyone, which is unmatched by other castles. However, most of the buildings in the castle were destroyed in the long siege in the 16th century, and only a few buildings such as St. Margaret's Chapel, which was built in the early 12th century, survived the disaster. Edinburgh Castle has witnessed many wars in Scotland and is a symbol of the spirit of Edinburgh and Scotland. Edinburgh Castle is not big, but the buildings are well-arranged, rich in connotation, and impressive. St. Margaret's Chapel is the oldest building in Edinburgh Castle. It looks plain and is built on the highest point of the mountain. The interior space is old and simple, only about 50 square meters, and it is estimated that it can only accommodate 20 people. I came to the highest point of Edinburgh Castle. Here is the Crown Square surrounded by four palaces. These four palaces are now the Crown Room, the Scottish War Memorial, the Parliament Hall, and the Prison. The Crown Room displays precious cultural relics such as the Scottish crown, scepter, national sword, and the Stone of Destiny symbolizing royal power, which were designed and manufactured in 1540 (no photos allowed). The largest ancient building in Crown Square is now the Scottish War Memorial. There is a lion and a sheep statue lying on the left and right of the gate. The interior displays weapons from the cold weapon era and the glory of the Scottish army. Edinburgh Castle