5163 x 3456 px | 43,7 x 29,3 cm | 17,2 x 11,5 inches | 300dpi
Date de la prise de vue:
11 mai 2006
Lieu:
Iona,Scotland,British Isles
Informations supplémentaires:
The picturesque Nunnery ruins, with its tranquil cloister garden is close to the ferry landing on the Isle of Iona in the Inner Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland. Reginald, son of Somerled (Lord of the Isles), founded the nunnery in 1200 and installed his sister, Beatrice, as its first prioress. One of only two Augustinian Orders in Scotland, the nunnery earned itself the name 'An Eaglais Dhubh' - the black church - after the colour of nuns' robes. Unlike the rest of the Abbey buildings, the nunnery has not been restored since being made derelict during the Reformation. The pink granite walls that remain, despite being ruinous, are amongst the best examples of a medieval nunnery left in Britain. Little is known of the nuns who lived here, like the Benedictine monks, they followed a strict life of prayer and contemplation. A few clues have been left which shed light on aspects of the nuns' lives. For instance, the tomb of Prioress Anna Maclean is so detailed in its carving as to give a clear depiction of her dress. Some of the nuns were thought to have fled to a cave during the Reformation Iona is known throughout the Christian world and is now a major centre for pilgrimage. One of Scotland's most historic and venerated sites, Iona is the burial ground for several Kings of Scotland. lona Abbey is a celebrated Christian centre and the burial place of early Scottish kings. The Abbey and Nunnery grounds house one of the most comprehensive collections of Christian carved stones in Scotland, ranging in age from 600AD to the 1600s. _In AD 563 Columba and his twelve disciples landed at Port na Curaich (Harbour of the Coracle) to build a monastery and establish a school of learning, having travelled in a hide-covered craft from Ireland. They introduced a faith which was to spread far beyond Mull and indeed Scotland itself. Iona, only 3 miles (4.8 km) from north to south and 1_ miles (2.4 km) east to west is steeped in history.
