Abroad in Wales

Stonehenge

During our trip to Bath we took a tour of Stonehenge, which is an hour's drive away, out into the country.

There are many theories as to why Stonehenge was built, but the most widely accepted amongst scholars is that it is some sort of solar calendar built in correlation with religious purposes. The stones help mark the solstices and the months.

There are even more myths surrounding the origins of the stones.  Geologists have been able to establish that the stones were imported from South Wales.  But according to one legend, the Wizard Merlin (who happened to be Welsh) grew impatient with the erection of a monument in his honour.  So he used his magic to transport the stones from Ireland, where they had previously stood as they do here.  A later tale tells of the Devil tricking an old Irish woman of the stones and then flying them to the site.  Several supposedly fell during transport, including one just a few meters from the site.  This is called the Heel Stone, and supposedly landed on the heel of a friar who vowed to tell the world of the Devil's hand at Stonehenge.

On the way, the driver pointed out this hill.  An old Celtic tribe once lived on this hill.  If you look to the left side, you can still see the defense trenches.

Now, for Stonehenge itself.

One of the burial mounds surrounding the site.

Posted at 08:22AM Feb 20, 2008 by Jill S Brink in General  |  Comments[2]