Mary King's Close facts for kids
Mary King's Close is a famous old street hidden beneath buildings in Edinburgh, Scotland. It's part of the historic Old Town area. This unique place is named after Mary King, a successful businesswoman who lived there in the 1600s. Later, in the 1700s, part of the Close was covered up when the Royal Exchange building was constructed. For many years, Mary King's Close was closed off. This led to many spooky stories and legends about ghosts and mysteries.
A Hidden History
Mary King's Close is like a secret underground street in Edinburgh, Scotland. It's part of the city's very old section called the Royal Mile. A "close" is a narrow alleyway, often with buildings on both sides. This particular close got its name from Mary King. She was a "merchant burgess," which means she was a successful trader and a respected citizen in the 17th century. She lived and worked in the Close.
In the 1700s, a large new building called the Royal Exchange was built in Edinburgh. To make space, parts of Mary King's Close were demolished or covered over. This left sections of the old street hidden beneath the new city. For a long time, these hidden parts were forgotten or closed off from the public.
Spooky Stories and Legends
Mary King's Close has been known for its spooky stories for a very long time. People have talked about strange happenings there since the 1600s. Some people think these stories started because of the old Nor Loch. This was a very dirty, swampy lake near the Close. Gases from the swamp could escape into the Close. These gases might have created strange lights or even caused people to imagine things.
Many people believe the Close is haunted. There are tales of ghosts and mysterious events. Because of these stories, many paranormal investigators have visited the Close. It has also been featured on several TV shows about haunted places.
- Mary King's Close was shown on the TV show Most Haunted.
- It appeared in an episode of Ghost Hunters International.
- The Close was also featured on the History Channel's show "Cities of the Underworld."
- It was even used to test cameras on The Gadget Show.
These stories and the unique history make Mary King's Close a popular place to visit today. People can take tours to explore the hidden streets and learn about its past.
See also
In Spanish: Mary King's Close para niños
