Parrot Time Magazine

The Thinking of Speaking
Issue #25 January / February 2017
Where Are You?
by Sonja Krüger
January / February 2017 |  asd

This capital city is the second largest of its country, with a population of over 465 thousand. It has been recognized as the capital since as at least the 15th century and has long been an educational centre for the region, as well as the seat of the monarchy and parliament.

Historically, there is evidence of habitation of the region going back to 8500 BCE. The tribes there lived in peace for thousands of centuries until the Romans arrived at the end of the 1st century CE. By the 7th century, the people there had built a hill fort which was probably the first true fortification ever established there.

This fort was attacked in 638 and control passed to the Angles (one of the main Germanic peoples of the time and place), and they would hold it for three centuries before it fell to another group of people, the Scots.

After that, it began to be truly built up as a place of power. It was turned into a royal burgh by the crown around the 12th century and was being viewed as the capital a mere two centuries later. It was attacked in 1544, but recovered enough to be the centre of events again by the end of the century.

Further growth was a problem, as the boundaries of the city were defined by the protecting town walls, and so people began building up. Many buildings became as tall as 11 storeys, being a form of ancestor to our modern day skyscrapers. When the city grew beyond the old walls, most of these buildings were replaced by more Victorian buildings.

Today, the city is home to the world's largest annual international arts festival. Over a million tourists flock to the capital every year to see the various historic sites of castles, churches, and old towns, some of which are listed with the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Can you name this city and country?

Last month's answer: Hurghada, Egypt

Where Are You?
Writer: Sonja Krüger
Images:
Petey: Mystery image

All images are Copyright - CC BY-SA (Creative Commons Share Alike) by their respective owners, except for Petey, which is Public Domain (PD) or unless otherwise noted.

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