The sun was shining and the air was brisk as we stepped off the bus at Glendalough, a monastic community founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century. Though most of it was destroyed by English forces in 1398, excavations and records in the Irish annals tell the story of a flourishing monastery and surrounding community. It was one of the most significant monastic communities of its time and a center of trade and power for six centuries.
The entrance to the remains of the monastic city is a gateway, which is the only remaining monument of its kind in Ireland. It was two stories and would have displayed the wealth and importance of the community as well as offering admittance into the inner, sacred, circle of the community. Just inside the gate is a cross carved into a large stone. This is one of two boundary crosses at Glendalough and would have symbolized sanctuary within the enclosure. The Round Tower, fully intact after its conical roof was rebuilt with original stone in 1876, stands 30 metres high and was used as a bell tower and the storage of relics and manuscripts. The door to the tower is 3.5 metres off the ground and faces the most significant building in the settlement, the Cathedral. Next to the Cathedral is the second boundary cross, an elaborately carved Celtic Cross that denotes the boundary of the original cemetery. The cemetery has since spilled over its walls to surround all of the churches in the enclosure, including some graves in the churches themselves.
Glendalough has remained so well preserved over the centuries because of its location as well as the solid architectural techniques used in construction. The community is nestled in a valley, surrounded by lakes and rivers, but it has never flooded because it was built on the only high ground in the valleys. Building the settlement on the plateau protected it from flooding, made it easily visible to travelers and gave it the advantage in a surprise raid.
The monastic settlement at Glendalough represents the early settlement of churches and monasteries as well as the changes in Christianity throughout the centuries. Each of the churches have a smaller annex that was constructed in the 12th century when the altar was placed behind a screen instead of being visible to the masses. The golden age of Ireland occurred during this time due to the introduction of writing and scholasticism that Christianity introduced. Monasteries were not only places of pilgrimage, they were centers for learning and held great political power.
In a country torn by religious and political conflict, ancient monastic sites such as Glendalough are a reminder of a time when Ireland flourished and religion benefited the population. Glendalough is also a reminder of the influence Irish monks had on other parts of Europe during the Dark Ages. The establishment of faith in Ireland is a rich and important part of its history; it is important to remember the value of those times and the impact these settlements had on the development of Modern Ireland.
My personal favorite spot at Glendalough is a beautiful old church called St. Kevin's Kitchen. It is constructed entirely of stone. The heavy stone roof is held up by an architectural marvel in the form of a dome-shaped vault in the ceiling. The tour guide unlocked the gate and let us go into the church, telling us about the frescoes that would have covered the walls and the window that once let light stream in from the East. Inside, we got a taste of the beauty as we sang the Doxology and listened to the voices rise and fill the chapel. I was reminded of the monks who are responsible for so many intricate chants and beautiful music that accompanied each service, and I am grateful that Glendalough has been so well preserved.
The entrance to the remains of the monastic city is a gateway, which is the only remaining monument of its kind in Ireland. It was two stories and would have displayed the wealth and importance of the community as well as offering admittance into the inner, sacred, circle of the community. Just inside the gate is a cross carved into a large stone. This is one of two boundary crosses at Glendalough and would have symbolized sanctuary within the enclosure. The Round Tower, fully intact after its conical roof was rebuilt with original stone in 1876, stands 30 metres high and was used as a bell tower and the storage of relics and manuscripts. The door to the tower is 3.5 metres off the ground and faces the most significant building in the settlement, the Cathedral. Next to the Cathedral is the second boundary cross, an elaborately carved Celtic Cross that denotes the boundary of the original cemetery. The cemetery has since spilled over its walls to surround all of the churches in the enclosure, including some graves in the churches themselves.
Glendalough has remained so well preserved over the centuries because of its location as well as the solid architectural techniques used in construction. The community is nestled in a valley, surrounded by lakes and rivers, but it has never flooded because it was built on the only high ground in the valleys. Building the settlement on the plateau protected it from flooding, made it easily visible to travelers and gave it the advantage in a surprise raid.
The monastic settlement at Glendalough represents the early settlement of churches and monasteries as well as the changes in Christianity throughout the centuries. Each of the churches have a smaller annex that was constructed in the 12th century when the altar was placed behind a screen instead of being visible to the masses. The golden age of Ireland occurred during this time due to the introduction of writing and scholasticism that Christianity introduced. Monasteries were not only places of pilgrimage, they were centers for learning and held great political power.
In a country torn by religious and political conflict, ancient monastic sites such as Glendalough are a reminder of a time when Ireland flourished and religion benefited the population. Glendalough is also a reminder of the influence Irish monks had on other parts of Europe during the Dark Ages. The establishment of faith in Ireland is a rich and important part of its history; it is important to remember the value of those times and the impact these settlements had on the development of Modern Ireland.
My personal favorite spot at Glendalough is a beautiful old church called St. Kevin's Kitchen. It is constructed entirely of stone. The heavy stone roof is held up by an architectural marvel in the form of a dome-shaped vault in the ceiling. The tour guide unlocked the gate and let us go into the church, telling us about the frescoes that would have covered the walls and the window that once let light stream in from the East. Inside, we got a taste of the beauty as we sang the Doxology and listened to the voices rise and fill the chapel. I was reminded of the monks who are responsible for so many intricate chants and beautiful music that accompanied each service, and I am grateful that Glendalough has been so well preserved.