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15 Things About Edinburgh That Will Blow Your Mind

Sucheta Pradhan
The capital of Scotland, Edinburgh is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful yet mysterious cities in the world. It has been a source of inspiration for many artists and literati alike.
Be it high castle walls that hold several deep and dark secrets, enlightening art scene that puts the city on world stage, vast green spaces that add a calming feel, or even its peoples’ peculiar love for animals, both real and mystical, Edinburgh is always so full of surprises.
"This is a city of shifting light, of changing skies, of sudden vistas. A city so beautiful it breaks the heart again and again." – Alexander McCall Smith
Edinburgh became the capital of Scotland in 1437. Before that, the medieval city of Scone was the Scottish capital.
In the 17th century, Edinburgh came to be known as “Auld Reekie”, literally meaning “Old Smokey”. At that time, Edinburgh’s people burnt coal and wood for warmth, filling the air with smoke.
And where there is smoke, there is fire! The Great Fire of Edinburgh that lasted from 15 November to 19 November 1824 was one of the most devastating fires in the history of the city that destroyed much of its Old Town.
As an aftermath of the fire, the world's first municipal fire service was founded in Edinburgh by James Braidwood. At the time, the entire Edinburgh fire brigade was run by volunteer firefighters.
Today, Edinburgh is the greenest city in the United Kingdom. It has the largest number of green spaces in the UK – 112 public parks – with comparatively less population.
The famous Edinburgh Castle sits atop an extinct volcano. It is known to have last erupted more than 350 years ago, and the crater formed by that eruption has been named as “Arthur’s Throne”.
In October 2004, Edinburgh was designated the world's first UNESCO City of Literature.
The city is home to various famous figures of world literature including Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Robert Louis Stevenson, Muriel Spark, Irvine Welsh, and Sir Walter Scott, among others.
Even J.K. Rowling wrote large parts of Harry Potter books at Edinburgh’s Elephant House Café. The local surroundings of the city are said to be the major inspiration for the books.
Edinburgh is sometimes called as the “Athens of the North”. During Industrial Revolution ...
... Edinburgh developed as the center for philosophy, economics, and medicine, taking inspiration from ancient Athens, which can be seen in the city’s old buildings and statues.
“Edinburgh’s Folly” is the National Monument located on Canton Hill that was supposed to be modeled after the Parthenon in Athens. However, due to lack of funding, it was never completed.
More than 75% - almost 4,500 – of Edinburgh’s old buildings are listed by UNESCO as heritage properties. That makes Edinburgh the city with most listed buildings in the UK, after London!
Edinburgh Zoo is home to the world’s one and only knighted penguin. Named Brigadier Sir Nils Olav III, this king penguin is the mascot and colonel-in-chief of the Norwegian King's Guard.
The first ever Encyclopedia Britannica was published in Edinburgh.
One of the most haunted graveyards in the world is in Edinburgh. The Greyfriars Kirkyard is infamous for its spooky poltergeist activity, with even some documented photographs of the same.
And by the way, it is not pronounced as Edinburgh (like iceberg). Be authentic and say it like a Scott. Roll your tongue and pronounce it as Ed-in-bruh! Fascinating!