Holyrood Palace

Palace of Holyroodhouse and Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh is the official residence of the British Queen in Scotland. It is located at the eastern end of the Royal Mile which leads from there up to the Edinburgh Castle. At the castle, the park closes at Holyrood.

In 1128 Holyrood Abbey ( German Holy Cross Abbey ) was built on this site. This abbey was a so-called Sanctuary, she and the associated hunting area could serve as a refuge debtors. The former guest house was gradually expanded, inter alia, created from 1528 to 1532, a residential tower in the northwest of the plant. The palace was built in its present form in the 17th century. He is known as the " Scottish Versailles ".

Scene of the schism

Scotland Queen Mary Stuart married here on July 29, 1565 her cousin Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley. The marriage was not without controversy, not least because of the Scottish nobility would have preferred a Protestant husband. A political intrigue that incited the jealousy of the young husband, resulted in Holyrood on March 9, 1566 for the murder of Mary's private secretary, David Rizzio, he was also exposed to the suspicion of the nobility because of his Catholic faith.

On 16 September 2010 received the Queen Elizabeth II at Holyrood Pope Benedict XVI. It was the first state visit by a pope to the United Kingdom. This encounter took place in Scotland, because the queen is not there unlike England, head of the Anglican state church. Your role as head of the Church of England is not recognized by the Holy See. The still guided title of the English kings Defender of the Faith ( Fidei Defensor Latin ) does not mention the papal award of back in 1521, but on a decision of the Parliament of 1544th The title thus refers to the defense of the Anglican- Catholic reform and has a anti -Roman content.