City Chambers, Edinburgh

Category

Library Item

Item no

2910

Title

City Chambers, Edinburgh

Description

The City Chambers and Mercat Cross in Edinburgh. The Mercat Cross stands on the cobblestones in the High Street and has a unicorn sculpture at the top of a column. It has heraldic symbols carved into the stonework. People pass by and there is a horse-drawn carriage with advertisements on it.

Artist / maker

Unknown

Date

1920

Size

9 x 14 cm

Type

Photograph; Postcard

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

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 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

Government > Local > City and town halls

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Edinburgh areas > Royal Mile

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh