Seven European Landmarks Linked to Giants, Devils, and Dragons in Folklore
A travel article showcases seven European sites associated with folklore. Fingal's Cave, located on Scotland's Staffa, is renowned for its ancient volcanic basalt columns. In Aberystwyth, Wales, the Devil's Bridge comprises three bridges, with a tale of the devil constructing it for the first soul to cross, though an old woman cleverly sent her dog instead. Folklorist Ceri Houlbrook emphasizes that legends often clarify the inexplicable. Northern Ireland's Giant's Causeway boasts around 40,000 basalt columns, attributed to the giant Finn McCool. Switzerland's Mount Pilatus, steeped in dragon lore, rises to 6,995 feet. Germany's Lorelei Rock inspired works by poets Brentano and Heine. Spain's Pont del Diable carries a devil legend dating back to 1969, while Cornwall's St. Michael's Mount features stories of the archangel Michael from 495 C.E.
Key facts
- Fingal's Cave on Staffa, Scotland, is formed from basalt columns created by ancient volcanic activity.
- The Devil's Bridge in Aberystwyth, Wales, consists of three bridges: medieval, 1753, and 1901.
- The Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland has up to 40,000 basalt columns formed 50–60 million years ago.
- Mount Pilatus in Switzerland rises to 6,995 feet above Lake Lucerne.
- The Lorelei Rock in Germany rises 410 feet above the Rhine.
- The Pont del Diable in Tarragona, Spain, is a first-century C.E. Roman aqueduct.
- St. Michael's Mount in Cornwall, England, is a tidal island with a causeway.
- Folklorist Ceri Houlbrook is at the University of Hertfordshire.
Entities
Artists
- Ceri Houlbrook
- Michael Freeman
- Juliette Wood
- Adriana Hauri
- Sir Joseph Banks
- Felix Mendelssohn
- Clemens Brentano
- Heinrich Heine
- Joan Salvat i Bové
- Finn McCool
- Fionn mac Cumhaill
- Benandonner
- Jack the Giant Killer
- Cormoran
- Teja Lele
Institutions
- University of Hertfordshire
- Ceredigion Historical Society
- Cardiff University
- University of Lucerne
- Strata Florida Abbey
- Benedictine abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel
- Smithsonian magazine
Locations
- Staffa
- Scotland
- Aberystwyth
- Wales
- Mynach Gorge
- Northern Ireland
- Antrim Coast
- Fingal's Cave
- Mount Pilatus
- Switzerland
- Lake Lucerne
- Mount Rigi
- Lorelei Rock
- Germany
- Rhine
- Pont del Diable
- Tarragona
- Spain
- Francolí River
- Tarraco
- St. Michael's Mount
- Cornwall
- England
- Mount's Bay
- Ireland
- United Kingdom
- India