St Giles' Cathedral, Gothic cathedral in Old Town, Edinburgh, Scotland
St Giles' Cathedral is a Gothic-style cathedral in Edinburgh's Old Town, Scotland, known for its central crown spire. The gray stone structure displays large stained glass windows along its exterior walls and several chapels inside, including the ornately decorated Thistle Chapel.
King David I founded the church in 1124, serving as the parish church of medieval Edinburgh. A fire in 1385 destroyed much of the original structure, leading to the Gothic-style rebuilding that remains visible today.
The name comes from Saint Giles, a 7th-century hermit whose relics were kept here and who was especially popular among pilgrims during medieval times. Today worshippers gather for services in the pews beneath the tall arches, while visitors explore the chapels and memorials.
The main entrance sits along the Royal Mile, giving direct access to the main nave. Visitors should allow about an hour to walk through the chapels and galleries, though access to the Thistle Chapel may be limited during ceremonies.
Inside the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament hangs a small wooden angel carving that was hidden during the Reformation and rediscovered only centuries later. This figure survived the destruction of religious art that took place in many other Scottish churches.
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