Glastonbury Abbey description and photos - Great Britain: Glastonbury (Topic)

Glastonbury Abbey description and photos - Great Britain: Glastonbury. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Glastonbury Abbey.

Photo and description

Glastonbury Abbey, the oldest in England, was once one of the largest, richest and most influential monasteries in the country.

Archaeologists and historians believe that the abbey was founded at the beginning of the 7th century, but legends say that the monastery was founded here by Joseph of Arimathea himself in the 1st century. Here, according to legend, he brought the Holy Grail, the sacred cup in which the blood of Christ was collected. These legends have attracted many pilgrims to the monastery over the centuries, which also contributed to the prosperity of the abbey. The first stone church was built here at the beginning of the 8th century. Saint Dunstan, one of the key figures in the history of English Christianity, played an important role in the development of the abbey. The abbey was expanded and the monks adopted the charter of the Benedictine order. According to the Book of the Last Judgment - census of 1086 - Glastonbury Abbey was the richest in the country.

In 1184, a great fire almost destroyed all the monastery buildings. The restoration took a lot of time and money, and the flow of pilgrims has noticeably decreased. However, in 1191, the grave of the legendary King Arthur and his wife Guinevere was discovered in the monastery cemetery, and interest in Glastonbury flared up again. At the end of the 15th century, a special inn was built in the city to accommodate everyone who wants to visit the abbey - The George Hotel and Pilgrims' Inn.

Church reforms of Henry VIII and his decree on the dissolution of monasteries in 1536 put an end to the existence of the abbey. His wealth was plundered, his land was confiscated, and his buildings were destroyed. However, pilgrims still come here, and just tourists. Even the ruins of the monastery buildings are striking in their grandeur and beauty.

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Topic: Glastonbury Abbey description and photos - Great Britain: Glastonbury.