Post by habiba123820 on Nov 9, 2024 4:55:23 GMT
Before we tell you what to see in Saint Andrews , we'll tell you something you'll discover when you visit this small town on the west coast of Scotland : it's full of records. In the Middle Ages, it was the heart of the Church in the country, something like the "Scottish Santiago de Compostela." In fact, like the Galician capital, its name is due to the fact that the mortal remains of another apostle rest here... You guessed it: St Andrews . It also became a place of pilgrimage and, for the same reason, the most important cathedral in Scotland was built there , back in the 13th century.
What to see in St Andrews University Jump
Jumping at St Andrews University
In the 15th century, the first university in the country was founded, which is still active today. In the 16th century, it was the birthplace of the Scottish Reformation, with its leader John Knox as wordpress web design agency the protagonist. But in the same 16th century, the right to play golf was recognised here, which made Saint Andrews another birthplace, that of golf. As if that were not enough, near the oldest golf course in the world there is one of the most beautiful beaches in Scotland , famous for one of the most historic races in cinema...
All of this could have remained anecdotes of the past. But no, that history is reflected in every stone of the buildings in the small but charming historic center of Saint Andrews . A historic center surrounded by golf courses, beaches and those unmistakable green landscapes of Scotland . Here are our 10 places to visit in Saint Andrews to discover little by little all those records.
Saltaconmyadvice
Saint Andrews is of course part of our 10-day road trip through Scotland , so don't miss the rest of the stops.
1. Saint Andrews Cathedral
The first thing you have to see in Saint Andrews , even the only one if you have little time, is the cathedral . It was the largest and most important cathedral in Scotland , a Gothic jewel that was consecrated in 1318 after more than a century and a half of work.
What to See in St. Andrews Cathedral Ruins
Ruins of St Andrews Cathedral
In its day it must have left the pilgrims who came here in droves to venerate the relics of St Andrew speechless. In fact, it leaves us tourists speechless today, even though it is in ruins. The cathedral was attacked, looted, set on fire... and finally abandoned and half-ruined in the 16th century. The leader of the Scottish Reformation, John Knox, made sure that this was the case.
What to See in St Andrews Cathedral St Rules Tower
The view of the cathedral and the city from the top of St Rules tower
There is a museum with medieval sculptures and relics found on the site, including the Pictish sarcophagus of St Andrew, one of the finest examples of early medieval sculpture in Europe. You can also climb the early 12th-century St Rules Tower . From the top of its 33 metres – 160 steps – you can enjoy beautiful views of the ruins of the cathedral with its cemetery, the city and the sea. Admission to the site is free, you only pay to visit the museum and climb the tower, here are opening times and prices.
2. St Andrews Castle
The other place you have to visit in Saint Andrews is its castle . It is very close to the cathedral and it is not surprising: its lords were none other than the bishops and archbishops. “They worked next door.”
Must-See Castles of Scotland St Andrews Sunset
Sunset next to the ruins of St. Andrews Castle
It is also in ruins, it is also medieval – partly from the 12th-13th centuries, although it was attacked and rebuilt several times – and it is also in a privileged position, next to the North Sea.
Must-See Castles of Scotland St Andrews Tunnel
The siege mine
However, just as impressive as the castle were its underground tunnels. Beneath the Sea Tower prison there was a hole more than seven metres deep dug into the solid rock in the shape of a bottle: the bottle dungeon . The tower was a prison for nobles and the bottle dungeon for the rest... and for Protestants. It was one of the most infamous prisons in Britain in the Middle Ages. This underground tunnel is not accessible today, but we were able to go down into the tunnels dug beneath the castle in the 16th century : a siege mine and a countermine.
What to see in St Andrews University Jump
Jumping at St Andrews University
In the 15th century, the first university in the country was founded, which is still active today. In the 16th century, it was the birthplace of the Scottish Reformation, with its leader John Knox as wordpress web design agency the protagonist. But in the same 16th century, the right to play golf was recognised here, which made Saint Andrews another birthplace, that of golf. As if that were not enough, near the oldest golf course in the world there is one of the most beautiful beaches in Scotland , famous for one of the most historic races in cinema...
All of this could have remained anecdotes of the past. But no, that history is reflected in every stone of the buildings in the small but charming historic center of Saint Andrews . A historic center surrounded by golf courses, beaches and those unmistakable green landscapes of Scotland . Here are our 10 places to visit in Saint Andrews to discover little by little all those records.
Saltaconmyadvice
Saint Andrews is of course part of our 10-day road trip through Scotland , so don't miss the rest of the stops.
1. Saint Andrews Cathedral
The first thing you have to see in Saint Andrews , even the only one if you have little time, is the cathedral . It was the largest and most important cathedral in Scotland , a Gothic jewel that was consecrated in 1318 after more than a century and a half of work.
What to See in St. Andrews Cathedral Ruins
Ruins of St Andrews Cathedral
In its day it must have left the pilgrims who came here in droves to venerate the relics of St Andrew speechless. In fact, it leaves us tourists speechless today, even though it is in ruins. The cathedral was attacked, looted, set on fire... and finally abandoned and half-ruined in the 16th century. The leader of the Scottish Reformation, John Knox, made sure that this was the case.
What to See in St Andrews Cathedral St Rules Tower
The view of the cathedral and the city from the top of St Rules tower
There is a museum with medieval sculptures and relics found on the site, including the Pictish sarcophagus of St Andrew, one of the finest examples of early medieval sculpture in Europe. You can also climb the early 12th-century St Rules Tower . From the top of its 33 metres – 160 steps – you can enjoy beautiful views of the ruins of the cathedral with its cemetery, the city and the sea. Admission to the site is free, you only pay to visit the museum and climb the tower, here are opening times and prices.
2. St Andrews Castle
The other place you have to visit in Saint Andrews is its castle . It is very close to the cathedral and it is not surprising: its lords were none other than the bishops and archbishops. “They worked next door.”
Must-See Castles of Scotland St Andrews Sunset
Sunset next to the ruins of St. Andrews Castle
It is also in ruins, it is also medieval – partly from the 12th-13th centuries, although it was attacked and rebuilt several times – and it is also in a privileged position, next to the North Sea.
Must-See Castles of Scotland St Andrews Tunnel
The siege mine
However, just as impressive as the castle were its underground tunnels. Beneath the Sea Tower prison there was a hole more than seven metres deep dug into the solid rock in the shape of a bottle: the bottle dungeon . The tower was a prison for nobles and the bottle dungeon for the rest... and for Protestants. It was one of the most infamous prisons in Britain in the Middle Ages. This underground tunnel is not accessible today, but we were able to go down into the tunnels dug beneath the castle in the 16th century : a siege mine and a countermine.