St. Andrews was the ecclesiastical center of medieval Scotland. A religious community was founded as early as the 6th century, and in the 8th century the king of the Picts founded a new church dedicated to St. Andrew. The town and the cathedral that would be built there were the object of numerous pilgrimages throughout the Middle Ages.
A municipality was established in the mid-12th century and became one of the largest towns in medieval Scotland. The castle, the ruins of which rise high on a rocky headland, was built in the early 13th century as an episcopal residence. The University of St. Andrews, the oldest in Scotland, was founded in 1411 as St. Mary's College. St. Andrews is also the home of Golf.
Few elements of medieval St. Andrews remain, but you can see some of these extraordinary sites in the photos below.
Do you have photos of St. Andrews or another historic location you'd like to share at the Medieval History site? Please contact me with the details.
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Images 1-6 of 6
- St. Andrews CastleFront entrance to the castle
- St. Andrews Castle by the SeaA view of the castle ruins on the rocky headland jutting into St. Andrews Bay
- Cathedral at DawnThe ruins of St. Andrews Cathedral in early morning light
- Wall of the Cathedral and PrioryEnclosure protecting the church and cemetery
- Cathedral CemeteryBack view of the Cathedral
- The PendsGate to the Old Monastery
- Graphic Index
- Text Index