Saint Giles Cathedral

Este emblemático templo, con su impresionante arquitectura gótica y rica historia, es un destino imperdible para los amantes de la cultura y la historia.

The cathedral is dedicated to St. Giles, the patron saint of Edinburgh. Although it was originally considered a cathedral, today it is actually the mother church of Presbyterianism. Presbyterians do not hold titles, which is why it is not referred to as a cathedral. It can be found on the Royal Mile, as you know, in the old part of the city.

The oldest remains of the cathedral date back to the 12th century, some authors date it to 1124. It is not known which king ordered its construction because that same year Alexander I died, and his brother, David I, succeeded him. Nor do we know what it looked like at this time because in 1385 it suffered a serious fire. This meant that in the following centuries it underwent alterations and extensions that today make up what you see.

The reconstruction was carried out in the English Gothic style. It has three naves, the central one being higher and wider than the lateral ones. A fourth nave was added for the Order of the Thistle. The addition of several private chapels would distort the Latin plan, drawing one more linked to Protestantism. The last alteration was in the 20th century, when the neo-Gothic Thistle Chapel was added.