Top 10 Amazing Facts about the St. Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh

 

Top 10 Amazing Facts about the St. Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh

St Giles’ Cathedral also known as the High Kirk of Edinburgh is in the Old Town of Edinburgh. From the center of Edinburgh, St Giles’ Cathedral is about an 8 minutes scenic walk or by car through the North Bridge/ A7 and High St.

 It is a parish church of the Church of Scotland. The Cathedral has closely associated with many events and figures in Scottish History. The current building of the church was established in the 14^th century and extended until the early 16^th century and significant alterations took place in the 19^th and 20^th centuries.

The cathedral is a functional church, and despite its name St Giles’ cathedral, the church is not catholic. It is one of the former cathedrals that retained its title after losing its status. The church serves as a significant historical symbol in Scotland due to its history if over 900 years.

Some of the amazing facts that you should know about the St Giles’ Cathedral include the following

1.St Giles’ is one of Scotland’s most important medieval parish church building

The first church of St Giles’ was a small, Romanesque building, in which only a fragment remained. It was replaced by the current building in the 14^th century, and it was subsequently enlarged between the late 14^th and early 16^th centuries. Later on, William Burn altered the church between 1829 and 1833 and was restored between 1872 and 1883 by William Hay supported by William Chambers.

Since the medieval period, the cathedral has been the site of national events and services; such as the service of the order of the Thistle, housing an active congregation, and it is also one of Scotland’s most popular visitor’s sites.

2 .Thistle Chapel the most ancient chapel

The Thistle Chapel is located in St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh, Scotland, at the southeast corner of the church. It is the most ancient and noble order of the Thistle. The chapel was built in 1911 and was designed by Sir Robert Lorimer. Although it is small, it is magnificent with carved and painted fittings of extraordinary detail. One of the figures portrays an angel playing bagpipes among the architectural details.

The Order of the Thistle was founded on May 29, 1687, by James VII and was issued a warrant to designate Holyrood Abbey the chapel of the new order. Hence necessitating the eventual removal of the Abbey’s Church of Scotland congregation to the Canongate Kirk. The order consisted of the Scottish monarch and 16 knights.

3.St Giles’s is Edinburgh Landmark

St Giles’ Cathedral is identified as one of the landmarks of the Royal Mile, it stands on the high street section of the Royal Mile. The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland also identified St Giles as the central focus of the Old Town. The church occupies a prominent and flat portion of the ridge that leads down from Edinburgh Castle.

The Royal Mile is said to be the artery that sustains life in Edinburg’s Old Town since from Edinburgh Castle to Royal Palace of Holyrood house, there is the Gothic St Giles’ Cathedral.

4.St Giles’ Cathedral is a historical monument

St Giles’ cathedral is described as the most important and visited historical monument of the Old Town of Edinburgh with a history of over 900 years.  It stands out because of its superb and inflicting architecture. The cathedral’s history is fascinating and at the same turbulent.

Some of the notable monuments you are likely to find in St Giles’ Cathedral include those of James Graham and Marquis of Montrose (1612-1650). Archibald Campbell, Marquis of Argyll (1607-1661), and Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894), as the 19th-century author.

With a framed copy of the National Covenant of 1638, the protestant reformer, John Knox was buried in the old Kirkyard, and William Forbes the first Bishop of Edinburgh.

5.The Heart of Midlothian

The Heart of Midlothian is a mosaic, located by the side of the street outside the western door of St Giles. It shows the site of the Tollbooth. It was built in the 15^th century and demolished in1817. The Tollbooth served variously as a meeting place for the parliament, the town council, and the General Assembly of the Reformed Kirk before it become a law court and prison, and place of execution.

Traditionally it is a sign of good luck, local often spit upon the heart once they pass by as a sign of good luck

6.There is a Statue of Knox inside St Giles’

Inside the St Giles’ Cathedral, you will find a statue of John Knox. He served as the minister for many years at St Giles, he was also the leading preacher of the Scottish reformation. He was buried in the churchyard. While you are at the parliament square, behind the cathedral you can see his grave, which was designed following his beliefs.

7.It has beautiful architectures

St Giles’ has the most beautiful architecture of any of the churches in the city. It is the more florid than most of the Presbyterian protestant churches in Edinburgh. Inside the church, you will find four central pillars, which are the only features remaining from the original church. Considering that most of it were burned during the fire in 1385 and was remodeled later on.

The cathedral has many stained glass windows lining the walls inside and outside, you will also see a crown designed on top.

8.Despite its name it is not a cathedral

You should know that despite the name of the church St Giles Cathedral, it is not a cathedral since the services are presided over by a minister instead of a bishop. The church was a cathedral for only two periods that it’s the 17^th century and when episcopalism was inflicted on the country.

It is one of the former cathedrals in the Church of Scotland that has retained its title despite having lost its status. The building has generally been called St Giles’ Cathedral, St Giles’ Kirk or church since the church’s initial elevation was the cathedral status.

9.St Giles’ is a working church

St Giles is a working church since it holds services every Sunday morning and also hosts events. Some of the events that the church is likely to host are one of its many free concerts which include solo performers, choirs, and an orchestra.

You also remember that despite the name of the church, it is a protestant church and not a catholic cathedral, if you plan to attend its services or events.

10.It is a tourist attraction sites

St Giles’ Cathedral is a popular tourist attraction that holds regular religious services and a plethora of cultural events such as organ recitals.

Some of the activities that the tourist expect to do while the visit the cathedral include the following; explore the building to discover over 900 years of history of the one of the most iconic buildings in Scotland, take a guided tour through the cathedral, see the Thistle Chapel, climb the tower, attend the service and events.