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Holyrood Palace (or Holyroodhouse) is the final point of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. In this place at the beginning of the XII century. Scottish king David miraculously escaped death while hunting, after which he built an abbey here. At the end of the 15th century. James IV rebuilt it into a royal residence, and his son, Jacob V, built a magnificent park on the site of the former hunting grounds. In the middle of the XVI century.
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| Holyrood Palace Images |
Mary Stuart hosted balls, masquerades and tournaments for the Scottish nobility at Holyrood Palace. In the second half of the 17th century, under Charles II, the palace was reconstructed, and in the 19th century. here lived in exile the French monarch Charles X.
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| Holyrood Palace Images |
In 1920, Holyrood Palace was declared the official residence of British kings in Scotland and is now used during Elizabeth II's visits to Edinburgh, usually in June or July. On these days, official social events are held in the palace - for example, a reception in honor of the knighthood and lady of the Order of the Thistle or on the occasion of the appointment of the first minister of Scotland - the political leader of British autonomy.
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| Holyrood Palace Images |
The rest of the time, Holyrood Palace functions as a museum, where you can see a lot of interesting things: the authentic setting of Mary Stuart's chambers, portraits of all the kings of Scotland in the portrait gallery, symbols of royalty, royal jewelry, etc.