Where is the Giant's Causeway? The Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland: the road to nowhere. The Legend of the Origin of the Giant's Causeway

About 40 thousand huge stone columns are so closely adjacent to each other that it seems that some giant - a hero of Irish myths and legends - installed them here. The diameter of these pillars is from 30 to 50 centimeters, they have smooth tops and several edges (the quarter has five, the rest have four, seven and even nine corners). The Giant's Causeway (or as it is also called - the Giant's Causeway) is located in Northern Ireland near the small town of Bushmills. It encircles the cliffs that are located on the Causeway Coast, and then gradually goes under water towards Scotland.

The scale of this amazing place is amazing. If you look at the Giant's Causeway from above, it really looks extremely similar to a stone-paved road that stretches along the coast for 275 meters and goes into the Atlantic for another hundred and fifty meters.

The average height of the pillars is approximately six meters, although it is not uncommon to see columns twelve meters high. If you look at them from above, they are somewhat reminiscent of a honeycomb, since they organize hexagons between themselves that are so close to each other that it is quite difficult to insert even a thin knife between them.

Absolutely all the pillars are dark in color and incredibly hard - scientists are a natural phenomenon explained by the fact that they consist mainly of basalt rich in magnesium and iron, which also has a small amount of quartz. Thanks to this composition, the columns are able to successfully withstand the destructive effects of winds and stormy waves. Atlantic Ocean.

The columns of the Giant's Causeway in Ireland form three groups of sites:

1. Big trail. The columns of this group are the largest and begin near the rocky mountains. At first they look like a cluster of huge stone steps, some of which reach up to six meters in height. Closer to the water, the steps gradually level out until they begin to form a stone-covered path, which is 20 to 30 meters wide.
2. Middle and Small trails. The pillars of these groups are located near the Great Path and are shaped more like mounds than a road. Since each such column has flat top, it is possible to carefully (especially near water, because they are extremely wet and slippery there) move from one pillar to another.
3. Staffa Island. 130 km from the coast there is a small desert island Staffa (translated as “island of pillars”), on which there is a continuation of these columns. Between these pillars is the main attraction of the island - the huge Fingal Cave, which is about 80 meters long.

Cliffs

The columns themselves on the Causeway Coast are located around cliffs, to which people later gave rather original names. For example, two of them were named after the Harp (the columns from this cliff descend in a curved line to the coast) and the Organ (the straight and tall pillars located near it are very reminiscent of this musical instrument).

There are cliffs with such interesting names as the Giant's Loom, the Giant's Coffin, the Giant's Cannons, the Giant's Eyes. Here you can also look at the Giant's Shoe - a two-meter cobblestone that resembles this shoe (it was even calculated that the giant who wore such a product must have been at least 16 meters tall).

Chimneys of the Giant's Causeway

There's one more thing interesting place on the Giant's Causeway - chimneys, which several centuries ago frightened the already defeated "Invincible Armada".

This happened for a banal reason. Some pillars of the Giant's Causeway in Ireland not only tower on the coast, but also from the sea look like the chimneys of a huge castle. The Spaniards confused him with him and fired cannons at “enemy territory” - that is, absolutely deserted territory.

This story ended in tears for the Spaniards: their ship crashed on the rocks, and many people died. The treasures found from the ship, after they were raised from the bottom of the sea, can now be seen in the Ulster Museum, which is located in Belfast.

Legend

It is not surprising that the Giant's Causeway has its own legends and myths that explain its appearance and formation.

The ancient Irish believed that the Giant's Causeway was built by the Irish giant Finn Mac Cool in order to reach his sworn enemy, the Scotsman, who lived on Hebrides, and fight him in order to decide which of them is stronger.

Further versions are slightly different from each other. According to one of them, seeing that his opponent was larger and more powerful than him, Finn ran away. And when he saw that the Scot was pursuing him, he persuaded his wife to swaddle him like a child and leave him to sleep on the shore. According to another version, while the Irishman was building a road, he was so tired that he fell asleep on the coast, and his wife, seeing that his rival was approaching, swaddled him and passed him off as a child.

In any case, having seen the huge “baby”, the Scottish giant decided that it was better not to mess with his father and ran away, and so that the Irishman would not catch up with him, he destroyed the path.

Studying

Interestingly, the Giant's Causeway became widely known only at the end of the 17th century, when the Bishop of Derry began to intensively advertise it amazing place. And at the beginning of the 19th century, tourists began to appear here en masse.

Despite the fact that this area has been declared a national nature reserve by the Northern Ireland Department of the Environment, there are absolutely no off-limits areas, and tourists can walk wherever they want and wherever they can get to. Tourists in this country quite like this fact.

The Giant's Causeway is unique in that, despite the fact that something similar exists in other parts of the globe, it is here that the largest concentration of such pillars is located. It is not surprising that for many centuries scientists have debated how exactly the Trail arose.

Some of them claimed that the giant pillars are actually huge crystals that arose a long time ago at the bottom ancient sea. Others said the pillars were actually petrified bamboo forest.

Nowadays, most scientists agree that the largest lava plain in Europe once existed here. It was formed thanks to a huge layer of limestone, which is located under the territory of Northern Ireland. In ancient times, molten lava flowed through its faults during volcanic eruptions, which covered the earth with a layer of 180 meters, after which it began to cool and harden. But it did not become a shapeless mass because it was based on basalt.

After some time, during cooling, the lava began to slowly decrease in volume, and thanks to the basalt, hexagonal cracks formed on its surface. As the inner layers of magma began to cool, these cracks began to deepen and formed hexagonal columns.

This theory was confirmed by a group of scientists from Toronto, who, after experiments, were able to prove that the slower the magma cools, the larger the columns are. Thus, the secret of the appearance of such an amazing natural phenomenon as the Giant's Causeway in Ireland was revealed... Or not?

The Giant's Causeway is what it's called unusual place on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean in Northern Ireland. There are 40 thousand huge basalt columns pressed tightly against each other. Their surface seems to form a giant path leading from the ocean to a large volcano.

It is thanks to the eruption of this volcano several tens of millions of years ago, according to scientists, that an unusual natural structure appeared. The unusual shape of the columns is explained chemical composition lava, which contracted as it solidified. Hexagonal stone pillars- the strangest structure generated by solidified lava. For a long time, scientists puzzled over why the rock acquired the appearance of polygonal pillars. Currently, the hypothesis is considered proven that this type is associated with the extremely slow cooling of the molten substance and its gradual compression. Scientists call this process similar to the drying of wet mud or clay, which also cracks and forms a bizarre pattern.

Most columns have six, seven or eight sides, and only one has three. Their height on average is about 6 meters. The pillars are pressed so tightly against each other that it is difficult to even insert a thin knife between them. total area The unusual object, which is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Ireland, is 4.5 thousand square meters (300 by 500).

However, the name “Trail of the Giants” tells us that the history of its appearance is also described in local legends. According to them, the road in ancient times, when the Earth was inhabited by huge people, was built by the Irish giant Finn Mac Cumal from his home on the coast to the fortress of his enemy, located in the Hebrides. Arriving at him, he discovered that his opponent was much larger and, therefore, stronger than him. Finn had to flee. Returning home, he asked his wife to swaddle him like a baby and lay him on the shore. Seeing such a “giant child,” his enemy thought that it was better not to meet the father of such a huge baby, and returned home, simultaneously destroying the stone road across the ocean behind him.

Whatever the origin of the Giant's Causeway, this place has long been considered one of the most picturesque in the world. It inspired more than one writer and artist to create romantic works. In 1986, the Giant's Causeway was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and a year later it became a national nature reserve in Northern Ireland.

The Giant's Causeway extends along the coast for 275 m, in addition, it extends 150 m into the sea. Geologists estimate the age of the columns at 60 million years! Despite this, they are in excellent condition, practically not destroyed and still delight tourists who come here with their splendor.

Here you can see picturesque caves, some can be viewed from land, others only from the sea, visit ruined castles and lovely sandy bays. The 13th-century castle of Dunluce Castle stands on a cliff, connected to the mainland by a bridge over an abyss at the bottom of which the sea splashes. Dunseverick Castle is an earlier fortification to the east of the Giant's Causeway, and to the east stands the 16th-century castle of Kienbane Castle. During the summer you can get there every day by cruise boat to Rathlin Island, five miles from Billy Castle. The most interesting thing here is Bryusov's Cave, where in 1306 Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland, watching a spider weave its web again, came up with the idea of ​​recapturing his kingdom and becoming a ruler again.

The legend of the appearance of stone prisms

According to an ancient Celtic legend, stone prisms on the shores of the Irish coast were built by the fairy-tale hero, the giant Finn Mac Cummal. One day he wanted to measure his strength with the one-eyed Gol, who lived on the island of Staffa, located on the other side of the strait. To his regret, Finn Mak Kummal was very afraid of water, and he did not have a suitable means of swimming across the body of water. Then he decided to build a road across the sea straight to the island of Staffa. He paved it for 7 days, dragging faceted columns, planting them deep into the ground and pressing tightly against each other so that they would not bend under the weight of his body.

Upon completion of the construction, the giant was very tired and decided to rest before a difficult battle. At this time, the Cyclops noticed a stone bridge, out of nowhere, in the middle of the sea. He sensed danger and decided to attack his enemy first. Crossing the bridge, he found a home and began to break down the doors. Finn Mak Kummal would be in trouble if it weren't for his wife's resourcefulness. She wrapped her husband in a sheet and only after that she let the Cyclops into the house. To the enraged screams, the woman calmly replied that the owner was not at home, and their son was sleeping in the cradle. Goal was seriously frightened when he saw the size of the child and imagined the height of his father. He fled from the island in horror, destroying the bridge that had been built behind him so that the enemy would not overtake him.

Ancient building

Some researchers believe that Irish columns are the creation of ancient people. After all, such a building is not the only one of its kind. It can be compared to Hadrian's Wall, a magnificent Roman monument built in the 2nd century AD. In Great Britain. Its length was 130 km, height – 5 km, and width – 6 km. Similar to both of these buildings is the famous Stonehenge in England, which was made of huge stone blocks 5,000 years ago.

At the bottom Pacific Ocean Scientists have discovered an entire disappeared city, built mainly from hewn hexagonal slabs that looked very much like Irish columns.

From all of the above, it follows that technically the people of antiquity had the opportunity to build stone structures of impressive size.

Scientists' opinion

Scientists explain the Irish miracle very simply. Millions of years ago, the magma formed after volcanic eruptions began to solidify. When similar processes occur on the sea coast, the layer of magma on top breaks up into geometrically regular hexagons. The crystallization process then moves inward and produces faceted basalt columns. This is the usual explanation for one of the most seemingly mysterious structures of our century.

Some time ago, the Giant's Causeway was recognized as the fourth wonder of the world in Great Britain (according to the Times newspaper). These ancient formations are protected by UNESCO and belong to the National Trust.

Facts about the Giant's Causeway

• Time of formation: The Giant's Causeway appeared about 60 million years ago.
• Number of basalt columns: About 40,000.
• Height and dimensions: The highest is 12 m, the widest is 25 m thick.
• Sights: Chimneys, Giant's organ. The Giant's Flute, The Giant's Boot and The Shepherd's Ladder.

The Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland is a unique natural phenomenon: interconnected basalt hexagonal columns create amazing landscapes reminiscent of a natural pavement. The trail is the result of the activity of an ancient volcano; the ledges were formed when a lava flow cooled. There is another version of the appearance of a bizarre trails: the road was built by the hero of Celtic myths, Finn Mac Cumal.

The Causeway of Giants could indeed serve as a road: the columns of different heights (from 6 to 12 meters) seem like a staircase, and the cracks are the result of a sloppy layout of the nature trail.

In 1986, the Causeway of Giants was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

To visit the Giant's Causeway, you should choose comfortable clothes and shoes, preferably with rubberized soles.

It is better to plan a trip to the Causeway of Giants from late spring to autumn. There are no tours along the Giant's Causeway in winter. Be careful: the weather in the north of Ireland is quite changeable. In strong winds and rain, approaching the cliff can be dangerous.

Tourist office where you can get detailed information o Giant's Causeway and buy souvenirs, located at 44 Causeway Road. When purchasing a ticket, tourists receive an audio guide in Russian (English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Japanese and Mandarin are also available).

How to get there

The Giant's Causeway is located in the north-east of Northern Ireland, 100 km from Belfast. Bus services connect the Giant's Causeway to Belfast: tourist buses run (mainly in the summer), or you can take the 252 bus, which runs a circular route along the picturesque Antrim coast.

From late spring to early autumn, you can get to the Giant's Causeway by tourist buses from Bushmills, as well as from another attraction in Northern Ireland -. In summer, minibuses also run from the tourist office.

You can also travel from Belfast and Londonderry by Translink trains (www.translink.co.uk). Closest to the Giant's Causeway railway stations- Portrush and Coleraine, from where regular buses run to the coast.

Steam Railway connects Bushmills and the Giant's Causeway; The station is located 200 meters from the main entrance to the natural park.

Travel time from Belfast by car is about one and a half hours. Follow the M2 until the junction with the A26. Turn right and follow until you turn onto the M2. Once past Ballymena, continue along the A26 to Ballymoney. Turn right and follow Ballybogy Road until it meets Priestland Road. Turn right again and continue to Causeway Road.

Location

Giant's Causeway is located in County Antrim in .

Giants Causeway- Northern Ireland's most famous landmark.

I have long wanted to see it, and for me the Giant's Causeway became the most powerful impression of the whole.

Imagine a rocky coast, plunging towards the sea, which consists of individual faceted basalt columns, closely pressed against each other. The columns are predominantly hexagonal. Sometimes at the base of the column there is an almost regular hexagon, sometimes it is skewed - and not a hexagon, but an octagon or pentagon.

The columns were formed as a result of a series of volcanic movements, cooling and horizontal compression of lava, which included basalt.

The columns have different heights. Their clusters form figures, for example, in the form of an organ, a palisade, a pedestal, or a staircase. And the most remarkable section is a paved road that goes into the sea and disappears under water.

Actually, this section is called the Giant's Causeway, or the Giant's Causeway.

Giant's Causeway(Giants Causeway) and coast Causeway Coast were included in the list in 1986 world heritage UNESCO.

The Legend of the Origin of the Giant's Causeway

There is a local legend about the origin of this pavement. It tells the story of two giants who wanted to measure their strength.

One of them is the Irishman Finn McCool, the other is the Scotsman Goll. To meet his rival, Finn Mac Cool built a road across the Irish Sea using pillars driven into the seabed. The giant was so tired of laying the road that he fell fast asleep.

And at this time, Goll ran across the pavement across the sea to Ireland to fight with force against his opponent. Finn's cunning wife passed off her sleeping husband as their baby son, and Goll, afraid of meeting such a giant's father, ran away, destroying the road behind him. Only a small piece of pavement remained.

The Giant's Causeway - how to get there

The Giant's Causeway is located in the north of the island of Ireland, a hundred km from, 3 km from the town Bushmills.

How to get there:

By car– along the B147 Causeway road.

On public transport - from Belfast by train to Coleraine, then by bus 172.

There are full day excursions from Belfast and from Dublin visiting the Giant's Causeway. Such an excursion is possible.

Visit the Giant's Causeway

The trail is open from 9 a.m. and closes depending on the season:

• January, February, November, December – at 17
• March, April, May, June, September, October – at 6 pm
• July, August – at 19. Last entry – one hour before closing.

Entrance to the territory of the National Park is through the Tourist Center. It houses a museum, toilet, cafe, gift shop and ticket office.

A ticket to the Giants Causeway National Park costs £10.50 for an adult (half price for a child).

Along with the ticket you will receive a route map and an audio guide.

The audio guide doesn't make much sense. In the scheme, to be honest, too. Everything is intuitive. When I was preparing for the trip, I read that there are several routes along the cliffs, which are divided according to difficulty level. In fact, the difficulty is approximately the same everywhere, and in a couple of hours you will complete all the routes marked on this map.

The logic is this: first everyone follows the lower path along the sea. There is also a bus that takes you directly to the Giant's Causeway. It is approximately 800 meters from the office. You should definitely go on foot (if you can), because the road is beautiful, and the bus goes fast - you won’t have time to take a photo or admire it..

After the Giant's Causeway, the road continues along the sea for some time, and then a serpentine begins, which leads to the upper path. Then those interested go along the rocks along the upper path: first to the east, then return to the office. There is also a section of trail behind the office that leads to the cape. From the cape you can look at the Giant's Causeway from a different perspective.

Walk through the National Park

In the morning we left Belfast and a couple of hours later we were approaching National Park Giant's Causeway.

The weather was cloudy. I read that it often rains here, and I usually came across photos from the Giant's Causeway with rain.

The tourist center is inscribed into the rock and is surrounded along the perimeter by dark columns, imitating the basalt columns on the Giant's Causeway.

The first section is along the sea

After passing through the Tourist Center, we go down along the rocks along the road.

Everything still looks ordinary, but strange, seemingly ordered stones are already appearing.

Giant's Causeway

And here she is - Giant's Causeway. The tops of the columns form a kind of paving stones. In most cases, columns different levels, but in some places they level out and merge into a single surface.

The coast consists of numerous faceted columns. The booklet says that there are over 40,000 basalt columns here.

Leg - for column scale

This is a paved road

From the side, the bridge looks like this:

The path goes higher and higher

Steeply Staircase of the Shepherds climb to the edge of the cliff

and we find ourselves on a green meadow with calves grazing.

View of the Pavement going into the sea

The path along which we climbed is clearly visible. The path in the middle of the slope goes into the distance and leads to the so-called Organ - a rocky area with a row of tall columns. But in our time, the passage to the Organ was closed, we only saw it from above.

Upper trail

then among the heather fields,

then approaches the edge of the cliff.

From here the Giant's Causeway looks like a sharp promontory. Behind her, a green “dinosaur head” peeks out of the water.

The views are breathtaking, and you want to go further and further, following the bends, descents and ascents coastline. I experienced similar inspiration in Normandy, on. By the way, the weather has cleared up.

"Organ Pipes"

Heather and bluebells among the grass

Unfortunately, at some point we had to turn back. Returning to the Giant's Causeway, we looked at it from above. The number of people increased significantly.

Bus to the Giant's Causeway. Top right is the Causeway Hotel. In the distance (to the left) a large sand beach— the rocks have disappeared.

In conclusion, we took a walk to this plateau

There are picnic benches there. So, if you have prepared sandwiches, you can have a snack here.

This ended our walk. There was no time left for the museum, cafe and souvenirs. I wanted to make the most of my time walking along the rocks. And at 14 o'clock we had a ferry to Scotland.

So, if fate takes you to Northern Ireland, try to get to this unique coastline. And maybe even an overnight stay.

Attractions near the Giant's Causeway

Near the Giant's Causeway, next to information center there is a Causeway Hotel.

If you come overnight, you can walk the entire Causeway Coast Way(33 miles) – a beautiful route along the coast. Also nearby (15 km east of the Giant's Causeway) there is another attraction - a rope bridge Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, stretched between two rocks over the strait. The bridge serves as a good addition to the Giant's Causeway: as a rule, these two attractions are viewed together.

You can also visit the ruins Dunluce castle built on a rock. It is located 8 km west of the Giant's Causeway. The castle served as the prototype for the castles of Cair Paravel in The Chronicles of Narnia and Pyke in Game of Thrones.

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