Old and New Towns of Edinburgh
Edinburgh, Scotland
23.03.2011
The Old and New Towns of Edinburgh - A UNESCO World Heritage Site
The city of Edinburgh, located in Scotland, is home to a unique and fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Site - the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh. This site, inscribed in 1995, encompasses the historic core of the city, including the Old Town and the New Town, and has been recognized for its outstanding universal value in terms of both cultural and architectural significance.
The Old Town of Edinburgh, which dates back to the Middle Ages, is a maze of narrow streets, alleys and hidden courtyards. It is centered around the Edinburgh Castle, a historic fortress that has played a crucial role in the city's development. The castle, perched on a volcanic rock, offers spectacular views of the city and is a popular tourist attraction. Other notable landmarks in the Old Town include the St. Giles' Cathedral and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland.
The New Town, on the other hand, was built in the 18th century as a response to the overcrowded conditions in the Old Town. It is a masterpiece of urban planning and showcases the grand Georgian architecture of the period. The Princes Street Gardens, a public park located in the heart of the New Town, offers a peaceful escape from the bustling city streets. The Scott Monument, a Gothic monument dedicated to the famous Scottish writer Sir Walter Scott, is also a prominent feature in the New Town.
The contrast between the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh is what makes this UNESCO World Heritage Site so unique. The coexistence of these two distinct areas, each with its own character and charm, reflects the city's rich history and cultural heritage.
Further Links:
- The Old Town of Edinburgh - Old Town, Edinburgh
- The New Town of Edinburgh - New Town, Edinburgh
- Edinburgh Castle - Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh has been the Scottish capital since the 15th century. It has two distinct areas: the Old Town, dominated by a medieval fortress; and the neoclassical New Town, whose development from the 18th century onwards had a far-reaching influence on European urban planning. The harmonious juxtaposition of these two contrasting historic areas, each with many important buildings, is what gives the city its unique character.
Edinburgh ( ED-in-bər-ə, Scots: [ˈɛdɪnbʌrə]; Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Èideann [t̪un ˈeːtʲən̪ˠ]) is the capital city of Scotland and one of its 32 council areas. The city is located in southeast Scotland and is bounded to the north by the Firth of Forth estuary and to the south by the Pentland Hills. Edinburgh had a population of
506,520 in mid-2020, making it the second-most populous city in Scotland and the seventh-most populous in the United Kingdom. The wider metropolitan area had a population of 912,490 in the same year.
Recognised as the capital of Scotland since at least the 15th century, Edinburgh is the seat of the Scottish Government, the Scottish Parliament, the highest courts in Scotland, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland. It is also the annual venue of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. The city has long been a centre of education, particularly in the fields of medicine, Scottish law, literature, philosophy, the sciences and engineering. The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1582 and now one of three in the city, is considered one of the best research institutions in the world. It is the second-largest financial centre in the United Kingdom, the fourth largest in Europe, and the thirteenth largest internationally.
The city is a cultural centre, and is the home of institutions including the National Museum of Scotland, the National Library of Scotland and the Scottish National Gallery. The city is also known for the Edinburgh International Festival and the Fringe, the latter being the world's largest annual international arts festival. Historic sites in Edinburgh include Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the churches of St. Giles, Greyfriars and the Canongate, and the extensive Georgian New Town built in the 18th/19th centuries. Edinburgh's Old Town and New Town together are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which has been managed by Edinburgh World Heritage since 1999. The city's historical and cultural attractions have made it the UK's second-most visited tourist destination, attracting 4.9 million visits, including 2.4 million from overseas in 2018.
Edinburgh is governed by the City of Edinburgh Council, a unitary authority. The City of Edinburgh council area had an estimated population of 514,990 in mid-2021, and includes outlying towns and villages which are not part of Edinburgh proper. The city is in the Lothian region and was historically part of the shire of Midlothian (also called Edinburghshire).
