The Real Mary King's Close, Underground tourist attraction along Royal Mile in Edinburgh, Scotland
The Real Mary King's Close is a network of underground streets and rooms that lie beneath Edinburgh's Royal Mile, holding original 17th-century stonework and structures. The passages run through former homes, shops, and living areas that reveal how the city once occupied this buried layer below ground.
During the 1600s, this narrow street housed hundreds of residents in multi-story buildings before authorities sealed it off following devastating plague outbreaks. The closure meant this underground area remained hidden beneath the modern city for centuries afterward.
Costumed guides lead visitors through the underground passages while sharing stories about the people who lived here, their routines, and how different social classes coexisted in these tight quarters. The space reflects how medieval Edinburgh residents adapted to crowded urban living in the centuries past.
Visitors should prepare for stairs and uneven surfaces, as accessing and moving through the passages requires some physical effort. Comfortable footwear is helpful since the ground can be damp and the routes wind through tight spaces.
The spaces contain preserved furniture and personal belongings from residents of different social backgrounds, revealing the stark differences in how they lived. These objects show the social divisions that existed hidden beneath the street.
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