Memorials & monuments · Central Scotland
Mercat Cross
In or near Edinburgh.
Mercat Cross is a memorial in the United Kingdom.
Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 15 min–45 min
- Nearest railway station
- Edinburgh Waverley · 0.3 km
- Free entry
- Family-friendly
- Dog-friendly
About
Mercat Cross is a public memorial or monument in the United Kingdom. Coordinates: 55.9496°, -3.1902°. This entry is part of The Great Britain Guide, a free, ad-free, open-data tourist directory.
Photo gallery
See it from the streetimagery from 2020
Imagery © Mapillary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0
Official information
The Real Mary King's Close is a unique historic site in Edinburgh featuring preserved 17th-century underground streets. Visitors can explore the lives of those who lived in the Close and learn about the city's dark past through guided tours.
From the Wikipedia article
The Mercat Cross of Edinburgh is a market cross, which stands in Parliament Square next to St Giles' Cathedral, facing the High Street in the Old Town of Edinburgh.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
Description
The current mercat cross is of Victorian origin, but was built close to the site occupied by the original. The Cross is first mentioned in a charter of 1365 which indicates that it stood on the south side of the High Street about 45 ft from the east end of St. Giles'. In 1617, it was moved to a position a few yards (metres) down the High Street now marked by "an octagonal arrangement of cobble stones" (actually setts). This is the position shown on Gordon of Rothiemay's map of 1647 (see external link below). In 1756, the Cross was demolished and parts of the pillar re-erected in the grounds of Drum House, Gilmerton. A monument now stands there and on it a plaque that reads: "Erected in…
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 55.9496, -3.1902
- District
- City of Edinburgh
- Postcode
- EH1 1RW
- Parliamentary constituency
- Edinburgh East and Musselburgh
- Nearest railway station
- Edinburgh Waverley — 0.3 km
- Opening
- Mo-Su 09:00-17:45
- Official site
- www.realmarykingsclose.com
Sources
- osm: w164545444 (ODbL)
- wikipedia: Mercat Cross, Edinburgh (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- commons: Mercat Cross, Edinburgh.jpg (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Other places nearby
Adam Smith Statue
Memorials & monuments · 0.0 km
James Braidwood Statue
Memorials & monuments · 0.0 km
CODE - THE COURT
Hostels · 0.0 km
The Real Mary King's Close
Natural landmarks · 0.0 km
JK Rowling’s Handprints
Public art & sculpture · 0.0 km
St Giles' Cathedral
Cathedrals · 0.0 km
Charles II of England
Memorials & monuments · 0.1 km
Alexander And Bucephalus
Heritage railway stations · 0.1 km
Equestrian statue of Charles II
Public art & sculpture · 0.1 km
Old Assembly Close
Memorials & monuments · 0.1 km
Grave of John Knox
Follies · 0.1 km
156-158 High Street, Edinburgh
Historic pubs · 0.1 km
Nearby
📷 3Memorials & monuments · Central Scotland
Adam Smith Statue
Adam Smith Statue — a memorial in scotland-central, United Kingdom.
📷 3Memorials & monuments · Central Scotland
James Braidwood Statue
James Braidwood Statue — a memorial in scotland-central, United Kingdom.
📷 5Hostels · Central Scotland
CODE - THE COURT
CODE - THE COURT — a hostel in scotland central.
📷 3Natural landmarks · Central Scotland
The Real Mary King's Close
The Real Mary King's Close — a other in scotland-central, United Kingdom.
📷 3Public art & sculpture · Central Scotland
JK Rowling’s Handprints
JK Rowling’s Handprints — a public art in scotland-central, United Kingdom.
★ Iconic📷 5Cathedrals · Central Scotland
St Giles' Cathedral
St Giles' Cathedral — Church of Scotland cathedral in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
Where to eat & stay near Mercat Cross
Places to stay
📷 5Hostels · Central Scotland
CODE - THE COURT
CODE - THE COURT — a hostel in scotland central.
📷 5
📷 5Hostels · Central Scotland
St Christopher's Inn
St Christopher's Inn — a hostel in scotland central. Brand: St Christopher's Inn.
📷 5Hotels · Central Scotland
Market Street Hotel
Market Street Hotel — a hotel in scotland central.
📷 5Hostels · Central Scotland
Edinburgh Backpackers Hostel
Edinburgh Backpackers Hostel — a hostel in scotland central.
📷 5Hostels · Central Scotland
St. Christopher’s Inn - Edinburgh Old Town
St. Christopher’s Inn - Edinburgh Old Town — a hostel in scotland central. Brand: St Christopher's Inn.
Places to eat & drink
📷 5Historic pubs · Central Scotland
156-158 High Street, Edinburgh
156-158 High Street, Edinburgh in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.
📷 5Cafés · Central Scotland
Hideout Cafe
Hideout Cafe — a café in scotland central.
📷 5Historic pubs · Central Scotland
Public House, 30, 32, 34 Candlemaker Row, Edinburgh
Public House, 30, 32, 34 Candlemaker Row, Edinburgh in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.
📷 5Restaurants · Central Scotland
The Witchery
The Witchery — a restaurant in scotland central.
📷 7Restaurants · Central Scotland
Number One
Number One — a restaurant in scotland central.
📷 7Historic pubs · Central Scotland
3 Drummond Street, Edinburgh
3 Drummond Street, Edinburgh in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.
More memorials in this region
📷 3Memorials & monuments · Central Scotland
Mutiny Stones
Mutiny Stones in England North East, United Kingdom.
📷 3Memorials & monuments · Central Scotland
Augusta, Princess Dowager of Wales Monument
Augusta, Princess Dowager of Wales Monument is a memorial in the United Kingdom.
📷 3Memorials & monuments · Central Scotland
Battle of Largs Monument
Battle of Largs Monument — Monument, dating to 1912.
📷 3Memorials & monuments · Central Scotland
Declaration of Arbroath Monument
Declaration of Arbroath Monument is a memorial in the United Kingdom.
Frequently asked questions
- Where is Mercat Cross?
- Mercat Cross is in central Scotland, United Kingdom (postcode EH1 1RW).
- What is Mercat Cross?
- Mercat Cross is a memorial in the United Kingdom.
- How do I get to Mercat Cross?
- The nearest railway station is Edinburgh Waverley, about 0.3 km away. Drivers can use postcode EH1 1RW.
- Is Mercat Cross free to visit?
- Yes, Mercat Cross is free to enter.
- How do I get to Mercat Cross?
- The nearest railway station is Edinburgh Waverley, about 0.3 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode EH1 1RW.