Calton Hill from the Back of Shakespeare Square

Category

Library Item

Item no

5096

Title

Calton Hill from the back of Shakespeare Square

Description

On the high ground above the old Edinburgh area of Low Calton is Calton Gaol. The buildings of the prison tower above the nearby tenements and houses. Above the walls of the prison some of the monuments on Calton Hill are visible.

Artist / maker

McCulloch, Thomas

Date

1835

Size

23.6 x 35.5 cm

Type

Watercolour

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

Calton Hill is situated at the east end of Princes Street in Edinburgh. It rises to a height of 108 metres and is another of the city's hills created by volcanic activity. Several monuments stand on the hill. Most prominent amongst these are the Nelson Monument, built in the shape of a telescope, and the unfinished National Monument, modelled on the Parthenon in Athens.

Shakespeare Square stood at the junction of North Bridge and Waterloo Place in Edinburgh. It was the location of Edinburgh's Theatre Royal until the demolition of the theatre and square in 1859 to make way for the General Post Office building. This building still stands on the site.

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Related subjects

Crime and punishment > Crime and punishment facilities > Prisons

Homes > Residential buildings > Houses

Homes > Residential buildings > Tenements

Places > Edinburgh areas > Calton

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

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