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Paolozzi's giant bronze foot lying on the paving of Picardy Place.
Edinburgh

The Manuscript of Monte Cassino

Eduardo Paolozzi's giant bronze foot, hand and ankle of 1991, lying on Picardy Place at the top of Leith Walk, outside St Mary's Cathedral.

Welcome

At the top of Leith Walk, on the wide paving of Picardy Place in front of St Mary's Cathedral, three enormous pieces of a body lie on the ground as if left behind by a giant: a foot, a hand and an ankle, all in dark bronze.

They are The Manuscript of Monte Cassino, made in 1991 by the Edinburgh-born sculptor Eduardo Paolozzi. The title comes from the great Benedictine abbey of Monte Cassino in Italy, and from an old manuscript kept there; the foot and hand are cut with the grooves and blocks of Paolozzi's machine-like style.

The bronzes were lifted during the long works on the trams and the new junction, and they are back on Picardy Place, where they can be seen and touched at any hour.

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Before you go

The three bronzes lie in the open on Picardy Place, in front of St Mary's Cathedral, and can be seen at any hour.

Where
Picardy Place, at the top of Leith Walk, outside St Mary's Catholic Cathedral.

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Where it is

On Picardy Place, where Leith Walk meets York Place and Broughton Street.

Close byThe top of Leith Walk.
  1. Man standing outside The Street bar, with rainbow murals and pavement seatingThe StreetA cafe and bar over two floors on Picardy Place, at the heart of the city's LGBT quarter, with food until late and DJs at the weekend.Under a mile 1 min by road
  2. The Cheese Gallery at The Big Cheese on Broughton Street: glass cabinets of cut wedges and whole wheels of cheese, each with its label.The Big CheeseA cheese shop on Broughton Street, opened in 2026, with more than 50 cheeses from Scotland, the rest of the UK and Europe, cut to order.Under a mile as the crow flies
  3. Bronze giraffe sculptures stand beside a glass-fronted building on the pavementThe Dreaming SpiresHelen Denerley's scrap-metal giraffes outside the OMNi Centre.Under a mile 1 min by road
  4. Cushioned window seat between crowded bookshelves in a wood-panelled libraryMcNaughtan's Bookshop & GalleryScotland's oldest second-hand and antiquarian bookshop, since 1957.Under a mile 1 min by road
  5. Calton HillCalton HillA volcanic hill at the east end of Princes Street, crowned with monuments.Under a mile 4 min by road
  6. Nelson MonumentNelson MonumentA tower shaped like an upturned telescope on Calton Hill.Under a mile 4 min by road
Directions
A slice of New York-style margherita pizza on Flùr's printed paper, on a table in the Bonnie and Wild food hall.RestaurantsFlùrA step away
The front of Bonnie & Wild on Level 4 of the St James Quarter, its name above the doors, with people eating at the tables outside under the glass roof.RestaurantsBonnie & WildA step away
ShoppingStòr Lifestyle, EdinburghA step away
Lucky Yu's blue shopfront on Broughton Street at dusk, its windows lit pink by neon around an old wooden door.RestaurantsLucky YuA step away
Vinette's pale front on Broughton Street at dusk, its name above the apricot door and tall window, with lamps lit either side.RestaurantsVinette0.2 miles
Cafe Calton's terrace on top of Calton Hill on a sunny day, people at tables looking out over the city to the Firth of Forth.CafeCafe Calton0.2 miles
The Broughton's deep blue pub front on Broughton Street, its name in gold above the windows and Welcome over the door.RestaurantsThe Broughton0.2 miles
Street food spread on a blue table, with Chix and Fabrica packaging visibleRestaurantsEdinburgh Street Food0.2 miles
Sesame bun burger with charred patty, frilly lettuce and red sauceRestaurantsHoly Cow0.2 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the sculpture, and when each is next free.

A hotel studio room with a beige fitted kitchen unit and stainless sink beside a bed dressed in white and teal cushions, a wall of black-framed pictures above a patterned headboard.Old Town Chambers
  • To stay
  • In Edinburgh
  • Under a mile from Picardy Place
Check datesA round table and chairs stand before tall curtained windows looking onto stone buildings, a sofa and mounted television to the right.Moment George IV Bridge
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Edinburgh
  • Under a mile from Picardy Place
Check datesWest End Muse
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Edinburgh
  • A mile from Picardy Place
Check datesA turreted sandstone building with conical spires catches the evening light above rooftops, a large pine tree standing beside it.The Scott Hotel
  • A hotel
  • In Edinburgh
  • A mile from Picardy Place
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in EdinburghAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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