Edinburgh Castle - a fortress, which is located on the top of Castle Hill in the center of Edinburgh, Scotland's capital city. This is the main tourist attraction of the city, in the year the castle is visited by over a million people.

Archaeological finds indicate that people have lived on this hill already in the IX century BC, but it is possible that there existed earlier settlements .  600 g .  n . e .  and later Brythonic epics mention of the existence of a fortress in this area - probably we are talking about is a fortress on Castle Hill .  Mention of the castle are already in the XI-XII centuries, when King Malcolm III Castle became a royal residence .  It died of grief his wife, Saint Margaret of Scotland, which was later recognized as a saint .  In her memory, her son King David I build a chapel .  St Margaret's Chapel - the oldest building in Edinburgh Castle .  It was David I transferred the capital of the kingdom of Scotland Dunfermline to Edinburgh .  In 1139-1150 Mr. . g .  Edinburgh Castle held the meeting of the Scottish nobility and higher clergy, which can be called the first meeting of the Scottish Parliament .  Buildings that time were made primarily of wood, and to have survived only one building of the XII century, is the chapel of St. Margaret .

For centuries Scotland was at war with England, defending its independence .  Many times precipitated Edinburgh Castle, taken by storm or by traitors, destroyed and again rebuilt and strengthened .  At the end of the XV century built Palace of Holyroodhouse, which became a royal residence, the castle and plays the role of strengthening the military and prisons .  In 1660 the king of England and Scotland, Charles II gave the order to place at the castle of the regular army, and until 1923, the castle is always a military garrison .  Only in 1905 the castle was taken out of the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Defence, although part of the castle and the chapel of St. Margaret were opened to the public in the middle of the XIX century .  Since then, interest in the castle only growing every year here comes more and more tourists, and it is not surprising .  The castle looks like illustration of the fairy tales and adventure novels .  The castle is the Royal Mile, the main street of the old town, which connects the castle and Holyrood Palace .

Situated on a high hill, the castle dominates the town and the surrounding area. On three sides - cliffs, and the only hike up to the castle - on the east side. The interior space is divided into three "court" that are interconnected gates. In the Middle yard Kolodeznaya Tower protects the source of drinking water - the most important value for the fortress located on a cliff top. Here is the War Museum of Scotland. In the upper court located St Margaret's Chapel and the famous cannon Mons Meg.

The Edinburgh Castle and the Scottish crown stored Stone of Scone - a legendary stone on which Scottish kings were crowned. In 1296 the stone was taken to England and is integrated into the base of the throne, which are crowned King of England, and then the UK, up to Elizabeth II. In her decree in 1996, the stone was returned to Edinburgh Castle, and thousands of people lined the Royal Mile, welcoming his return.