Old Town

Many of the buildings of the Old Town date back to the 1500s and surround some of Edinburgh’s most important landmarks. As with most cities it grew around the castle which sits on the rocky crag of an extinct volcano at the top of the Royal Mile.

Edinburgh Old Town, Scotland, UK by Ian Cooper

If you look at the layout of the streets, you will see similarities to the old quarters of other European cities, with claustrophobic alleyways (known as a close) and streets weaving between the buildings. Because of the space restrictions caused by the lay of the land, Edinburgh’s Old Town has some of the earliest examples of high rises, some of which reaching 15 storeys.

As you wander this part of the city, because it’s built on such a steep hill, streets that run parallel, and only yards apart will be at different levels and connected by steep narrow stair cases and closes.

When you look at the old town and wander the narrow streets you can see where JK Rowling drew much of her inspiration.

New Town

By the 18th century overcrowding in the Old town became more of a problem so in 1766 a competition was run to find a winning design. Local architect James Craig won with a logical grid design which was more common in Glasgow over on the west coast.

The New Town was a huge success and was quickly expanded, but the grid design was abandoned for one that was more picturesque like the Old Town.

It’s an interesting point of curiosity among residents that the area called New Town was planned only 102 after the official seal naming New York city.

Edinburgh Castle

There is archaeological evidence that suggests there were human settlements here around 900BC and as a fortified position there are historical references to Din Eidyn – fortress on the rock – dating back to 600AD. It has been the site of some of the most important conflicts in British history.

Edinburgh fontain and castle, Scotland, UK by Paul Boxley

It was captured in 1296 by Edward I of England, then retaken by one of Robert the Bruce’s generals in 1314, the year of the Scottish victory over the English at Bannockburn near Stirling. After the overthrow and execution of Charles I in 1650, Oliver Cromwell invaded and once again Edinburgh Castle was captured and the Crown, Sword, and Sceptre of Scottish royalty were quickly taken away an buried to protect them from Cromwell.

At the foot of the Royal Mile is the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the monarchy.

It’s a city that’s full of mystery and creepy alleys, and there’s even a haunted hotel in Edinburgh, as well as the eerie Mary King’s Close beneath the Royal Mile.

Edinburgh is a wonderful city full of amazing history, architecture and one or two ghosts of revolution.

Catherine Halsey writes for a digital marketing agency on a range of subjects. This article links back to https://www.radissonblu.co.uk/hotel-edinburgh

The post The Turbulent History of Edinburgh | Scotland, UK appeared first on Europe Explored.

Ancient Beginnings

The city was founded by the Romans in 71AD and was the capital of Britannia Inferior which was an area covering much of northern England. However, archaeological evidence dating back to the Mesolithic era showing that people settled in the area around York between 8000BC and 7000BC.

When the Romans settled here they built a wooden fortress above the River Ouse, which was home to around 6000 soldiers; the remains of the fort are beneath York Minster, the city’s famous and magnificent cathedral which was built in 1408.

York Minster, England, UK by Peter McDermott

A pinnacle moment in York’s history was 1068, two years after the Norman Conquest of 1066, when the people of the city rebelled, but their success was short lived when they were crushed upon the arrival of William the Conqueror.

Confectionary

The north of England is famous for its industry, it was the engine room of the British Empire generating wealth from wool, cotton and steel.

Even now you can see the hallmarks of that glorious past, and it still has an industrial heart with new factory openings and investments hailed as another step back to the glory days. York’s contribution to the influence of the north was not in the heavy industries or textiles, but was in chocolate.

As far back as the late eighteenth century the city has eight confectioners for a town that just has 17,000 people living in it. Even now, the Nestle Chocolate Factory produces millions of sweets, and many of the city’s chocolate loving people have had family members work in the world famous factories of Rowntree, Terry’s, and Cravens.

However, the wonderful confection is not just for the sweet tooth, it played an important part in the survival of the famous explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton.

In 1909 Shackleton led an expedition to the South Pole. Sadly the expedition was abandoned just 97 miles from the pole, and while they abandoned many of their supplies, including dozens of bottles of Scotch whisky, they did return with a now famous tin of Rowntree’s Cocoa which now has pride of place in the York Castle Museum.

The Smell of the wonderful brown stuff permeates through every nook and cranny, with York Hotels, hostels and B&Bs, just a stone throw away from the sort of sweet shops you can only picture in fantasies.

Catherine Halsey writes for a digital marketing agency on a range of subjects. This article links back to https://www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/qqyyk-york-marriott-hotel/

The post The Incredible History of York | United Kingdom appeared first on Europe Explored.

Parco dell’Uccellina, Italy by Rik & Ste

While consisting as an animal reserve today, the area where Parco dell’Uccellina has been inhabited since the Lower Paleolithic Era. There has been evidence uncovered which dates the first human settlements in Parco dell’Uccellina back 500,000 years ago. Other artifacts have been uncovered which dates back to the Wurm Ice Age which occurred 90,000 years ago.

There are a number of caves in Parco dell’Uccellina which were inhabited by Neanderthals. The most important of these caves is the Fabbrica Cave in which a number of High and Medium Paleolithic Era artifacts have been uncovered. Then there is the Golino Cave in which artifacts dating back to the Medium Paleolithic Era were uncovered back in 1865. Finally, there is the Scoglietto Cave in which some of the oldest known discoveries were made.

In Parco dell’Uccellina, near the city of Grosseto, you will find the ancient San Rabano Abbey which dates back to the 9th or 10th century. There are many other monuments, and churches which can be found throughout the region which dates back to the 13th century.

Countless people make their way to Parco dell’Uccellina to not only see some of Italy’s wildlife in their natural habitat, but to also see some of the oldest known human settlements in the country. There is a lot of history hiding in and around the natural reserve of Parco dell’Uccellina that is just waiting for you to explore and experience firsthand.

The post Parco dell’Uccellina – oasis full of natural beauty in Italy appeared first on Europe Explored.