Edinburgh City Chambers, Municipal government building in Royal Mile, Scotland
Edinburgh City Chambers occupies the northern section of a large classical building featuring an arcaded courtyard facing Royal Mile. The complex functions as the seat of the city council with distinctive facades and a central location in the Old Town.
The building began as the Royal Exchange in 1753, designed by John Adam, before the Town Council acquired the northern wing in 1811. This transformation made it Edinburgh's administrative center.
The courtyard displays noteworthy sculptures, including Alexander Taming Bucephalus by John Steell and a monument to General Stanisław Maczek. These works tell stories of people who shaped Edinburgh's identity.
Access is through an open arcade hall easily reached from the busy Royal Mile. Visitors can explore the courtyard, though access to council chambers and administrative offices is limited.
Underground passages beneath the structure were once merchant streets and now form part of The Real Mary King's Close tourist attraction. These hidden spaces reveal how medieval Edinburgh existed below street level.
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