The Mercat Cross and City Chambers

Category

Library Item

Item no

15303

Title

The Mercat Cross and City Chambers

Artist / maker

Inglis, Francis Caird

Date

1925

Size

10.5 x 16.3 cm

Type

Photograph; Reproduction

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

Edinburgh's Mercat Cross stands at the east end of St Giles Kirk on the High Street. The original cross stood nearby but was dismantled in 1756 and taken to Drum House. William Gladstone instigated the erection of the current cross in 1885, which incorporates some parts from its much larger predecessor. The Mercat Cross is the traditional centre of the city market, a meeting place for merchants, a place of execution and the site of official proclamations.

City Chambers was designed by John Adam and built between 1753-61. It was intended as premises for a merchant exchange, but this was not entirely successful and the building was overtaken by Edinburgh's Council during the 19th century. The council instigated significant extensions to the building in the years around 1900. The building was constructed over several Old Town closes. One of these subterranean streets, Mary King's Close, is now open to the public.

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Related subjects

Architecture > Architectural features > Arches

Architecture > Architectural features > Courtyards

Architecture > Architectural features > Pediments

Architecture > Architectural features > Stone carvings

Architecture > Monuments > Market Crosses

Business > Service industry > Shops

Government > Local > City and town halls

People > Adults > Men

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Edinburgh Landmarks > High Street

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Transport > Infrastructure > Cobbled streets

Transport > Land > Horse and carts