Glastonbury Tor

Glastonbury Tor is a conical shaped hill located just outside of the town of Glastonbury in southeast England. At five hundred feet above sea- level, it truly is a most striking and inspiring landmark and one that seems to beckon to pilgrims and travellers who journey in their thousands to this remarkable spot. The myths and legends surrounding this haunting and enigmatic place are still very much alive today.

The top of the Tor was levelled at some point in the 900s or 1000s to build a large stone church. This removed much archaeological evidence, however, excavations in the 60's have revealed Neolithic flint tools and Roman artefacts indicating use of the Tor since early ancient times. Indeed, the first significant occupation of the Tor dates from the Early Middle Ages, c.500-1000 AD, and remains discovered include a metalworker's forge, postholes, numerous animal bones and a worn hollow bronze head which may well have topped a Saxon staff. The 6th century burial of two teenagers whose bodies were orientated north to south were also found as was the remains of a 6th-century Mediterranean amphorae, a two handled jug, possibly used for wine or oil.

The conical shape of Glastonbury Tor is natural and comes from the rocks from which it is formed. It is made up of horizontal bands of clays and limestone with a cap of hard sandstone that resists erosion, however, the clays and limestone have worn away thus resulting in the steep slopes. The tower ruin on the Tor is all that remains of a fourteenth-century chapel dedicated to Saint Michael, a replacement for an earlier church destroyed by an earthquake in 1275. The chapel is evidence of the site's pre-Christian roots. It was common practice to build churches on pagan worship sites both to cement the ascendancy of the new faith and to give the people a Christian gathering place at a familiar spot. Such churches were often dedicated to Michael in his role as spiritual guardian.

An important and mysterious aspect of Glastonbury Tor are the seven levels of terraces that encircle the hill. Dated to Neolithic times it isn't certain if they were man-made or served any specific purpose, but there are those that believe they are an ancient ritual labyrinth or maze that corresponds to a magical diagram of some kind. The terraced pathway winds around and up the Tor in a backtracking maze, and the pattern it makes is almost identical to the labyrinth found on ancient Cretan coins. Scientific surveys currently think that it was made about four or five thousand years ago at about the same time as Stonehenge. It is thought that medieval pilgrims made the steep climb up Glastonbury Tor with hard peas in their shoes as a penance.

From the summit of the Tor there is a 360 degree view of the surrounding countryside. The view encompasses nearby Wells, the Quantocks, the Mendips, the peat moors rolling out to sea, and on clear days, the Welsh mountains. In the summer, a Roman Catholic pilgrimage begins on the slopes of Glastonbury Tor, where the Bishop of Clifton and a visiting dignitary lead singing pilgrims down to the ancient ruins at Glastonbury Abbey, where Mass is celebrated. Glastonbury Tor is now owned and cared for by the National Trust and there is free access to the public at all times.