Mystical places in England: Glastonbury

G It is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating sacred places in England. Rich in ancient legend, mythological associations, and fervent spirituality, Glastonbury has been a pilgrimage site for thousands of years and remains so today.

Many believe that island of avalon, Glastonbury may have been toured by the young Jesus, Joseph of Arimathea, and King Arthur. The Holy Grail is said to be buried beneath Glastonbury tor, and you can still visit King Arthur's tomb in Glastonbury Abbey. The city is a magnet for New Age devotees, with meditation rooms, goddess shrines, and shops with a wide selection of herbs, crystals, and pagan art.

History

Until two thousand years ago, the sea reached the foot of Glastonbury Tor, almost circling the set of hills. The sea was gradually replaced by a large lake. Despite a peninsula, the Gate would have looked like an island from most angles of focus - an old Celtic name for Glastonbury is Ynys-Witrin, the Isle of Glass.

Excavations at the Tor have revealed some of the Neolithic flint tools and Roman artifacts, indicating some use of Tor from very ancient times. The construction of terraces on the side of the hill, if man, also date from the Neolithic period.

The first major occupation of Tor dates from the High Middle Ages (c. 500-1000 AD). Remains found from this period include: a metallurgical forging, post pits, two 6th-century burials of teenagers facing north-south; Fragments of sixth century Mediterranean amphorae (for wine or oil), the bones of many animals, and a hollow bronze head worn that may have topped with a Saxon jig.

On the other hand, the existence of a monastic community in the Tor is confirmed by a letter of 1243 granting authorizations for a fair to be held in the Monastery of San Miguel on the mountain.

The monastery and church at Glastonbury Tor are closely associated with the great Glastonbury Abbey in the town below. Medieval pilgrims made the steep climb up Glastonbury Tor with hard peas in their shoes as penance.

El Monastery of San Miguel Glastonbury Tor was left in ruins after King Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries (c.1535), during the English Reformation. Glastonbury's last abbot, Richard Whiting, was hanged on Glastonbury Tor on November 15, 1539.


A comment, leave yours

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *

*

*

  1.   Pink said

    hello friends, last year i was at glastonbury titangel, and stonheis,
    They are MAGICAL places I really know there are many more but I am in love with those lands and I would love to return and stay in those lands.