Glastonbury Tor
   Photos: Glastonbury Tor

Glastonbury Tor in Glastonbury attracted the attention of the people from time immemorial, and he has always been surrounded by legends, myths and beliefs. It is the only hill for many kilometers around. Its height is 145 meters and the slopes of the hill are the seven benches obviously artificial, man-made origin. Scientists, however, can not give a definite answer, when and for what purpose have been made these terraces.

The local name of "tor" (torus) of Celtic origin and means "the hill, the rock." Ancient Britons Hill called "the island of Avalon" because on three sides of a hill surrounded by the river. Many believe that this is the most fabulous island of Avalon of the legends of King Arthur. The monks had once existed Glastonbury Abbey claimed that here lie the remains of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere, and another legend has it that this is where Joseph of Arimathea brought the Holy Grail.

At the top of the hill once stood the church of St. Michael. In 1275, it was destroyed by an earthquake. The second church, built in 1360, lasted until 1539, when King Henry VIII decreed the dissolution of the monasteries. Now on top of the hill stands a dilapidated tower.

At the foot of the hill is a sacred Chalice Well - a source that does not dry up even in the worst drought. Another legend has it that at its bottom lies the Holy Grail, so well and is called Chalice. However, the source was a sacred place long before the arrival of Christianity, wells anciently considered a gateway to other worlds.

In our time, the number of legends surrounding the Thor, did not decrease, but rather increased. These seek paranormal investigator from around the world, modern pagans chose him as their place of worship. But even if you are far from these things, it is still worth to climb the trail to the top of the hill and to overcome the steep steps, because from the top of a magnificent view of the surroundings.

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Glastonbury Tor
Museum of rural life in Somerset
House-Museum of the Tribunal and the village Ozernoi
The historic Hotel and Pub
Glastonbury Abbey