Religious Sights in Edinburgh
Experience Edinburgh's rich yet turbulent religious history.
St. Giles' Cathedral is the mother church of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland and is located at the midpoint of the Royal Mile. Its interior central pillars date back to 1124. The church boasts some of the most exquisite stained glass windows in the United Kingdom, which were created during the Victorian era.
Rosslyn Chapel is the mysterious Masonic chapel made famous by the DaVinci code (part of the Tom Hanks movie was filmed here in 2005). Located in the village of Roslin, a short bus ride from Edinburgh, it was founded in 1446 by Sir William St. Clair the third prince of Orkney.Practically every surface of Rosslyn Chapel is carved in an outstanding display of craftsmanship. Be on the look out for the Apprentice Pillar, the Green Man, the Nativity Star, the Music Cubs and even a carving of lucifer as an upside down angel. On a tour of the chapel, learn all about the Masonic history of the chapel and the secret symbolism throughout it.
St Mary's is the Roman Catholic Cathedral Church of the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh. This beautiful church houses relics of St. Andrew and was the first Scottish public Catholic chapel to have an organ. It features stunning murals.
With a history spanning 1000 years and more, St Cuthbert's has been, in turn, Celtic, Roman, Episcopalian and Presbyterian. For the last 300 years it has been a congregation of the Church of Scotland and a member of the Presbyterian family of churches. The church's close proximity to the Castle meant it was often caught in cannon crossfire between opposing armies and, as a result, sustained either severe damage or was destroyed. Such was the resilience of our forebears, however, that they immediately set about the daunting task of rebuilding. The present church of 1894, built in an Italian Renaissance style, possesses a magnificent interior. It is unusually ornate and sumptuous for a Presbyterian church and is acclaimed for its beauty, atmosphere and sense of 'presence.' It is well worth a visit!
St. Giles' Cathedral is the mother church of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland and is located at the midpoint of the Royal Mile. Its interior central pillars date back to 1124. The church boasts some of the most exquisite stained glass windows in the United Kingdom, which were created during the Victorian era.
Rosslyn Chapel is the mysterious Masonic chapel made famous by the DaVinci code (part of the Tom Hanks movie was filmed here in 2005). Located in the village of Roslin, a short bus ride from Edinburgh, it was founded in 1446 by Sir William St. Clair the third prince of Orkney.Practically every surface of Rosslyn Chapel is carved in an outstanding display of craftsmanship. Be on the look out for the Apprentice Pillar, the Green Man, the Nativity Star, the Music Cubs and even a carving of lucifer as an upside down angel. On a tour of the chapel, learn all about the Masonic history of the chapel and the secret symbolism throughout it.
St Mary's is the Roman Catholic Cathedral Church of the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh. This beautiful church houses relics of St. Andrew and was the first Scottish public Catholic chapel to have an organ. It features stunning murals.
With a history spanning 1000 years and more, St Cuthbert's has been, in turn, Celtic, Roman, Episcopalian and Presbyterian. For the last 300 years it has been a congregation of the Church of Scotland and a member of the Presbyterian family of churches. The church's close proximity to the Castle meant it was often caught in cannon crossfire between opposing armies and, as a result, sustained either severe damage or was destroyed. Such was the resilience of our forebears, however, that they immediately set about the daunting task of rebuilding. The present church of 1894, built in an Italian Renaissance style, possesses a magnificent interior. It is unusually ornate and sumptuous for a Presbyterian church and is acclaimed for its beauty, atmosphere and sense of 'presence.' It is well worth a visit!
St. Giles' Cathedral
High Street
High St
The mother church of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland...
Greyfriars Kirk
Greyfriars Place
Greyfriars Place
Where Greyfriar's Bobby kept his vigil and the spookiest graveyard in Britain...
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