My Englandia Travels: Edinburgh - Calton Hill, Edinburgh Castle

After the Holyrood Abbey we were then whisked off to Calton Hill(it sounds like Carlton).
This place was INCREDIBLE! The views of the city were out of this world--I have never seen anything like this.

The walk up to the hill, or massive incline that I'd refer it to, was definately a work out, but well worth it once we got to the top. There was so many different monuments and buildings up here along with a view that makes one speechless.

The monuments that make up this hill include the National Monument, Dugald Stewart Monument, and Nelson's Monument.

The National Monument

The National Monument was constructed in 1826 to honor and commemorate those who died during the Napoleonic Wars. The design of the monument as one notes, was modelled afte the Parthenon in Athens by Charles Robert Cockerell and William Henry Playfair. Although this monument is known for its lack of completion due to fund running out in 1829.

Duglad Stewart Monument

This monument was dedicated to Duglad Stewart,
who was a professor at the University of Edinburgh

The Duglad Stewart Monument is dedicated to the Scottish philosopher Duglad Stewart and was created in 1831 by architect William Henry Playfair, who created the National Monument as well. The model behind this Greek revival is that of another monument from Athens, Greece, known as the Choragic Monument of Lysicrates.

Nelson's Monument

This monument was created in 1807 to commemorate Lord Nelson and his victory over the fleets of the French and Spanish. Robert Burn came up with the idea of an upside down telescope which can be seen in the form of the monument itself, and Thomas Bonnar came up with the pentagon building that surrounds it.

After Calton Hill, we had yet another stop to make...this time to Edinburgh Castle.

Edinburgh Castle is located atop of a basalt core of an extinict volcano, in which the sides have been eroded due to glaciers which expose the cliffs we see today. This location gives the castle formidable defensive position.

The oldest of the buildings visible today which make up the castle is that of St. Margaret's Chapel in 1124, which is constructed in a Medieval style.

St. Margaret's Chapel
This chapel was built in 1124 by King David I

St. Margaret's Chapel was built to commemorate King David I mother Margaret, who in 1251 became a saint. This chapel contains a rectangular nave, with a chancel arch containing motiffs of chevrons.

interior of St. Margaret's Chapel

Walking around the city of Edinburgh

After touring the Parliament, castle, palace, and hill it was time for us to just experience the town itself. It was really nice to finally go on our own and explore.