Holyrood Palace. Fourth Edinburgh Walk (Canongate & Holyrood Palace) Palace Tour
Holyrood Palace is an ancient castle and the official residence of the British kings, located in the capital of Scotland, Edinburgh.
Palace of Holyrood
Holyrood Castle originates from the hotel of the Abbey of the Holy Cross (Holyrood), founded in the XII century. At the end of the 15th century, James IV built a Renaissance palace on the site of the hotel, which became a royal residence several decades later during the reign of Mary Stuart. After the unification of England and Scotland under one crown, Holyrood became the seat of the English monarchs in Scotland. In the second half of the 17th century, the palace was rebuilt in the Baroque style by the architect William Bruce and has survived to this day in this form. Now Holyrood Castle in Edinburgh is the official residence of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain, used for various ceremonies, such as the appointment of the First Minister of Scotland and the knighting of the Order of the Thistle, Scotland's oldest order.
Holyrood was the home of prominent figures of its time. The castle carefully preserved the chambers of the frantic Mary Stuart, who during her life managed to be the queen of France and Scotland and was a contender for the English throne. In the 19th century, Holyrood became the place where the last French Bourbon king, Charles X, was in exile.
The palace is located in the center of Edinburgh on the main street of the city, which is called the Royal Mile. Edinburgh Railway Station is 1 km away, so a leisurely walk to the palace takes no more than 15 minutes. From other areas of Edinburgh, Holyrood can be reached by buses 35 and 36.
Most tourists in the castle are attracted by the chambers of Queen Mary Stuart, which have been protected from any changes since the 19th century by order of King George IV. The chambers are decorated with a variety of tapestries, antiques and paintings.
Other halls of the palace of great interest to visitors:
- A large gallery, the walls of which are decorated with portraits of 110 Scottish kings, including the legendary ones.
- The Throne Room, where meetings of members of the Order of the Thistle and knightings take place.
- Exposition dedicated to the history of the order and its members.
- Royal apartments where Elizabeth II stays.
- Royal Dining Room.
All the halls of the palace are richly decorated, the main staircase of the 17th century and the walls decorated with paintings in the style of the Italian Renaissance stand out.
Holyrood Park and Abbey
The royal residence is surrounded by the park of the same name, covering an area of 260 hectares. The natural attractions of the park are represented by basalt rocks, small lakes and an extinct volcano called Arthur's Throne. At the top of the volcano at an altitude of 250 meters above sea level is the highest point of the Scottish capital. On the spurs of Arthur's Seat are the basalt pillars of Samson's Rib and Salisbury's Rib, about 50 meters high, used by rock climbers for a long time.
Tourists can also visit the abbey, from which the glorious history of Holyrood began. Now only picturesque ruins remain of the once prominent building, which have remained in this form for more than 250 years after the collapse of the roof during a hurricane. Also aside from the main complex is the modest building of the Baths of Queen Mary, built in the 16th century.
Schedule and prices
Opening hours of the Palace Museum:
- 09:30 - 18:00 (April - October);
- 09:30 - 16:30 (November - March).
Holyrood Castle is closed on Christmas Day and during visits to the castle of the Queen of Great Britain. According to tradition, the head of the kingdom must spend at least one week a year here (late June - early July).
Visit cost:
- 12.50 GBP for an adult ticket;
- 11.40 GBP for students and senior citizens;
- 7.50 GBP is a ticket for schoolchildren and the disabled, for children under 5 years old admission is free.
During the summer period, for the same price, a full tour with an audio guide around the palace complex, the park and Holyrood Abbey is available to tourists, during which the guide acquaints visitors with the stories of the famous castle and its inhabitants.
Address: Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8DX, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 131 556 5100
Holyrood Palace is the official residence of the British monarchs in Edinburgh. Its name comes from the distorted Haly Ruid - "Holy Cross". This was the name of the abbey of the Augustinian order founded on this place in 1128.
The palace has been the official royal residence for 600 years. 
The construction of the palace of Holyroodhouse was started in 1498 by James IV next to the abbey of the XII century (the ruins of which are still preserved). 
By the end of the 15th century, the inn at the abbey was transformed into the unofficial residence of the kings of Scotland. In 1498-1501. James IV built a Renaissance palace on the site of the hotel, which, as the importance of Edinburgh as the capital of Scotland grew, became the main royal palace. 
The unicorn has traditionally been included in many historical Scottish coats of arms (often in the form of a shield holder).
The historical coat of arms of Scotland is red on a golden field, with blue weapons (claws and tongue), a heraldic lion, around it a double red border sprouted with lilies. 
In the 16th century, Holyrood Palace was the residence of Mary Stuart, and the interiors of her chambers have survived to this day. In 1671-1679. the building was rebuilt by order of King Charles II. 
Abandoned for a long time, the palace was brought back to life by King George IV. 
There is a tradition that the Queen spends at least one week of the year at Holyroodhouse. Here the Queen appoints the First Minister of Scotland and conducts royal receptions. 
There is a wonderful garden around the palace. 
Holyrood Abbey of the Augustinian Order, founded in 1128 by King David I of Scotland, has been actively used since the 15th century for coronations and weddings of royalty. 
In the 18th century the roof of the main building collapsed, and now the abbey is a well-restored ruin. 
The Palace of Holyroodhouse has the shape of a square - buildings on the sides of a square perimeter and a courtyard in the middle. 
True, you can notice this only by climbing Salisbury - a mountain towering next to the palace. 
Two double towers are attached to the facade of Holyrood Palace, giving Holyrood its own unique look. 
Holyrood Palace is a mile away from Edinburgh Castle. 
The halls of Holyrood Palace are decorated with alabaster stucco, frescoes by Dutch and Italian masters, and tapestries.
Holyrood Palace is the official residence of the British Queen in Scotland, where state ceremonies and official receptions take place. The palace is located in the center of the capital on the main street - the Royal Mile, at the other end of which is located.
Myths and facts
The legend tells how King David was hunting in the forest when he was attacked by a deer. At that moment, a silver cloud appeared in the sky, from which a luminous cross emerged. The deer immediately ran away, and King David, in confirmation of this miracle, founded the monastery of the Holy Cross in 1128.
The monastery prospered and Edinburgh became the capital. The royal family decided to move from the gloomy Edinburgh castle on the rock to the cozy Holyrood, surrounded by a beautiful park. In 1501, James IV built next to Holyrood Priory. Only a fragment of the gatehouse from this building has survived to this day.
Mary spent most of her turbulent life at Holyrood Palace. Here she married two of her husbands, and Rizzio's private secretary was killed by her jealous husband.
Further reconstruction was carried out in 1633 on the occasion of the coronation of the Scottish prince Charles James I. During the Civil War, the troops of Oliver Cromwell were quartered in the palace, which caused significant damage and led to a fire.
The new King of Scotland, Charles II, initiated a substantial rebuilding of Holyrood in the 1670s. The palace was completely restored and transformed into a quadrangle by the architect William Bruce. For the symmetry of the façade, the right tower was added and the new Royal Apartments were built with richly decorated rooms. Charles II, who never visited Holyrood Palace, built it as a private residence for his brother James, Duke of York. When the duke came to the throne, he adapted the royal chapels for the rites of the Order of the Thistle, the oldest order of chivalry in Scotland.
After the unification of Scotland and England in 1707, the palace lost its main significance and fell into disrepair.
Only at the beginning of the 19th century, after the visit of George IV, the fifth king of Great Britain, funds were allocated for the restoration of Holyrood. George IV ordered that the rooms of Queen Mary be "protected against any future changes" and also ordered the use of the palace during the meeting of the Assembly (this tradition continues today).
In 1920, Holyrood Palace was declared the official residence of the monarchs in Scotland and became the site of regular royal ceremonies and events. During the absence of the royal family, the palace is open to the public.
What to see
The entrance to the palace is through the 17th-century Baroque Grand Staircase, with exquisite ceiling moldings depicting angels holding Scottish regalia. Italian wall painting from the 16th century illustrates scenes from Ovid's Metamorphoses. Next is the richly decorated Royal Dining Room and Throne Room, where George IV was crowned.
The most impressive are the private chambers of Mary Stuart. It houses many antiques, valuable paintings and tapestries. The rooms are decorated with rich finishes and decorative details.
Portraits of 110 Scottish monarchs hang on the walls in a spacious art gallery. The gallery also contains exhibits of works of art from the private collection of the royal family.
The exposition dedicated to the Order of the Thistle presents a collection of awards that were awarded to Scots who held important public positions or made a special contribution.
Near the palace you can see the ruins of an ancient monastery - the first building in Holyrood. The buildings are surrounded by beautiful gardens.
What else to see in Scotland: the cathedral in Edinburgh, castles in Dundee and.
Holyrood Palace is open daily from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm from April to October and until 4:30 pm from November to March. Closed December 25-26 and on visiting days of the royal family.
Cost: £10.75 (includes audio tour), students £9.80, children under 17 £6.50.
* You can get there by train (station 15 minutes walk), or buses No. 35, 36 (stop next to the palace).
** To ensure safety, a one-way route is provided inside the complex.
*** It is forbidden to take pictures inside the palace and bring drinks and food (drinks can be ordered at the cafe in the courtyard of the stables).
Official site:
The progenitor of the palace was Holyrood Abbey, which appeared on the city map in the 12th century. A few centuries later, it was often used for weddings, coronations and other royal ceremonies, but in the 18th century the building collapsed, and today you can only see its ruins.
The palace itself grew out of a hotel operating at the abbey. Representatives of royal blood often stayed within its walls, so in the 15th century it began to be considered their unofficial residence. The building received a direct view of the palace at the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries under Jacob IV. In the second half of the 17th century, the building was significantly rebuilt and acquired its modern look. Over the centuries of its existence, Mary Stuart, King Charles X and some other political figures lived and stayed here.
Today, Holyroodhouse continues to play the role of a royal residence. The Queen of England stops here when she visits. In addition, the building is a significant tourist attraction.
Square in front of the entrance to the palace Towers of the palace
Architecture
The building was erected in the canons of the Renaissance. Many typical features of this style of architecture can be seen here: geometric figures, horizontal tiers, towering roof structures, clear rectangular windows and arched galleries leading to the courtyard.
Courtyard
No less interesting are the interiors. The halls are decorated with sculptures and paintings. The Throne Room deserves special attention, as well as the rooms in which Mary Stuart herself once lived - many elements of their furnishings have been preserved since those times.
interior
How to get there
The palace is located in the central part next to a large park of the same name Holyrood. On the side, the palace grounds are framed by the Queen’s Drive road, and Canongate leads to the main facade, turning into Abbey Strand closer to the structure. To get here by public transport, you can take bus route 6, the nearest stop is called Scottish Parliament, or Skylink 300 and get off at Abbeyhill Crescent or Scottish Parliament. From any of the stops you can walk in a couple of minutes.
Palace of Holyroodhouse on the map
Tours
An audio guide is already included in the price of each ticket, which will help you get acquainted with the palace premises on your own. You can listen to it in several languages, including Russian. For those wishing to take part in a guided tour, such an opportunity is also provided. Guided tours inside Holyroodhouse run year-round, and the garden tour program is only available from May to October. Any tour must be booked in advance.
Tours here are divided into morning and evening. Both last about two hours and involve groups of 25 to 90 people. Morning tours start at 08:30. The cost of participation in them will cost 30 pounds sterling ( ~2 466 rub. ) from a person. Evening tours start at 18:00 or 18:30. Their price is £35 ( ~2,877 rubles ) from everyone.
All group visits must be coordinated with representatives of the attraction in advance. For groups of 15 people, there are discounts on tickets.
View from above
Hotels near
Several hotels can be found within walking distance of the attraction. Some of them are located near the Canongate street, which leads directly to the palace. So, right on it is the Canongate Apartment, in which the price per day starts from 6,000 rubles. Another, more budget option, is located a couple of blocks from the previous one and is called Holyrood Aparthotel. Here for one night you will need to pay from 4,800 rubles. Many options for lodging for the night can be found in the neighboring streets.
Opening hours and entry price
Holyroodhouse welcomes guests all year round, and the schedule depends on the time of year. He always starts his work at 09:30. In winter, from November 1 to March 29, you can enter the building until 15:15, and inspect it until 16:30. With the advent of heat, the working day increases, and it becomes possible to enter the building until 16:30, and it is allowed to stay in the palace until 18:00. Holyroodhouse closes on holidays, during the stay of the Queen, and sometimes due to bad weather conditions. You can specify the operating mode at.
Tickets are divided into two types: only for entrance to Holyroodhouse or for visiting the Royal Gallery as well. In the first case, a standard adult ticket will cost £14 ( ~1 151 rub. ), students and seniors pass for 12.7 pounds ( ~1 044 rub. ), children from 5 to 17 years old - for 8.1 pounds ( ~666 RUB ), and visitors under 5 years old are free. Tickets to visit both the palace and the gallery will cost 17.5 ( ~1 438 rub. ), 16 (~1 315 rub. ) and £10 ( ~822 rub. ) respectively.
Palace of Holyrood(Holyroodhouse Palace) in Edinburgh - the official royal residence, the Queen stops here during her annual visit to the city in July.
Legend of Holyrood Palace
Palace name holyrood means " holy cross”(holy rood), its foundation is associated with its own legend. In a free retelling, the story goes like this: at the beginning of the 12th century, King David I went hunting ... A common thing for kings, but he did it on Sunday, when, according to the rules of the church, it was forbidden to do so. As if in punishment for this, he was attacked by a huge deer, which the king himself could not cope with. Then the ruler called for the help of the heavenly powers... And suddenly he saw a shining cross between the horns of the animal, the deer stepped back and sped away. In gratitude for the rescue by King David I, in 1128, the Augustinian abbey of the "Holy Cross" was founded. 
Walking around Edinburgh, pay attention: the legendary image of a deer with a cross is found on many buildings.
On the lands of the abbey in 1498, James IV founded the palace of the same name
Inspection of Holyroodhouse
This palace is closely associated with the rich history of Scotland and is perhaps best known for being the home of Mary, Queen of Scots.
You will see 14 halls, in many of which historical events took place. Today, the Royal Apartments are used for state ceremonies and official receptions. One of the most important recent ones is that in this palace (in the Morning Drawing Room) Her Majesty Elizabeth II received Pope Benedict XVI in September 2010.
Audio guide(available in Russian) is included in the ticket price, so the tour of the halls of the palace will be complete and interesting.
One of the first halls on the route - royal dining room in green tones, pay attention to the place where the queen usually sits (in the middle of the table, so that it is convenient to communicate with everyone present). 
The halls where state receptions are held are famous for their magnificent stucco ceilings and an unsurpassed collection of tapestries.
AT Big Gallery(Great Gallery) posted portraits of the legendary rulers of Scotland by Jacob Wet (Jacob de Wet).
In the rooms associated with Mary of Scotland (the so-called James V Tower) you will hear the dramatic story that took place within the walls of Holyroodhouse, see her furniture.
The Stuart Historical Collection includes the famous Lord Darnley Jewel as well as personal items. Mary Stuart.
If your child gets a little tired, there is a small children's room for visitors approximately in the middle of the route, where he can relax and distract himself (for example, paint).
Having finished inspecting the building, you find yourself in a dilapidated Abbey, which existed here even before the construction of the palace (the construction dates back to the 12th century). According to legend, this is the very place where King David I had a vision of a deer with a cross between its horns. Alas, not only time destroyed its walls, but also religious strife.
Near the Palace begins a magnificent garden, and if time permits, be sure to take a walk here along the neat alleys with magnificent plants. During the visit of the Queen to Edinburgh, a "garden party" is held here, to which 600 guests are invited.
Holyrood is located at the end of the Royal Mile, opposite the Scottish Parliament. This is why the Royal Mile got its name, which connects the two main residences of the kings - the Castle and the Palace.
It is convenient to walk here, you can also take or regular buses 35, 36.
Opening hours: April - October 9.30-18.00, November - March 9.30-16.30. Last entry one hour before closing.
Since Holyroodhouse is a functioning royal palace, opening hours are subject to change at any time. When planning a visit, be sure to check on the site whether it will be closed at this time.
Ticket price(for 2012, at the time of writing): adult 10.75 pounds, children under 17 years old 6.50 pounds, children under 5 years old free of charge, family ticket (2 adults, up to 3 children under 17 years old) 28.60 pounds.
note. The tickets you purchase to visit Holyroodhouse are valid for a year! Save them - if you suddenly decide to explore the palace again or your friends will soon go to Edinburgh, you can use them again. To do this, go with already used tickets to the box office, where you will be issued a new free entrance ticket.
Unfortunately, photography is prohibited inside the palace (as in other existing royal residences in the UK).
Site www.royalcollection.org.uk
The museum has a very pleasant gift shop offering items with royal symbols, be sure to visit. There is also a cafe here.
All photos - the author of the site @
(1 ratings, on average: 5,00 out of 5) 
Loading...
