Skellig Michael
Type:
Cemeteries,
Chapels,
Churches,
Crosses,
Monasteries,
Secular architecture
Date:
Sixth to thirteenth century
Location or Findspot (Modern-Day Country):
Ireland
Description:
The remote, rocky island known as Skellig Michael housed a Christian monastery by the sixth century. The monks built individual beehive-shaped dwellings, communal buildings, and several churches using only corbeled (overlapping) stones without mortar. They also erected over 100 stone crosses or slabs incised with crosses to serve as devotional focal points. The monastery was in use until the thirteenth century, when the monks moved east to the Irish mainland.
Relevant Textbook Chapter(s):
4
Repository and Online Resources:
• Skellig Michael is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Watch two short videos about Star Wars and Skellig Michael (Ahch-To).
Image Credits:
Wikimedia Commons; Alamy
