Picardy Place

Picardy Place and its churches

The Edinburgh audio-guided tour lets you discover Picardy Place, a small square at the foot of Calton Hill. It reveals two fine religious buildings: the church of St Paul's and St George's on one side and St Mary's Cathedral on the other, contemplated with respect.

Two parishes united

The church, formerly St Paul's, was built between 1816 and 1818, then enlarged at the end of the nineteenth century. In 1932, it merged with St George's church, located nearby, hence its current double name. It shows a fine neo-Gothic architecture, rather rare in the centre of Edinburgh, where the neoclassical style of the new town predominates.

What there is to see

The square offers a fine architectural ensemble, with its two religious buildings facing each other. The neo-Gothic architecture of the church contrasts with the rest of the district and deserves a close look, with respect for these places of worship. Picardy Place is also a convenient crossing point between the new town and Calton Hill.

Practical information

Picardy Place is at the foot of Calton Hill, on the edge of the new town of Edinburgh. The square is freely accessible at all hours and on the level. The religious buildings, places of worship, can be visited with respect for silence and according to their own opening hours.

Why does the church have two names?

Formerly St Paul's church, it merged in 1932 with the neighbouring St George's church, which gave it its double name of St Paul's and St George's.

What is the style of the church?

The church shows a neo-Gothic architecture, quite rare in the centre of Edinburgh, where the neoclassical style of the new town predominates.