At Vuela Viajes we love to tell you about mysterious and enigmatic corners, such as the Nazca Lines of Peru or the island of Por-Bajin in Siberia. If you are also interested in these types of places, it would be better not to miss anything that we tell you below, because we are going to tell you about another of the most enigmatic places on the planet. We refer to Newgrange, a huge tomb located in Ireland that, according to experts, was built around 3,200 BC.
Considered one of the most important prehistoric sites in the country, there is still a lot of information about it that is unknown: who built it, for whom it was built, why it is alienated in such a peculiar way…. Even so, below we are going to tell you everything that is known about Newgrange . Do not miss it!
The Boyne Valley
Newgrange is an impressive funerary monument belonging to the whole of the Boyne Valley (Brú na Bóinne), in County Meath, specifically about 45 kilometers from Dublin , the capital of Ireland. To visit the site it is necessary to go through the visitor center first, where you can buy the ticket that includes the trip in a minibus and a guided tour. In addition, you can hire excursions from Dublin that will take you to the interpretation center itself.
Construction
Although, as we have told you at the beginning, it is unknown who built the funerary monument and for whom it was created, what is clear is that it was a civilization of the most advanced both on an artistic and engineering level. And it is that we are pulling a construction for which some 200,000 stone tones were needed, which form a circle of 7 meters in diameter. The exterior of the building was lined with quartzite , although over the years this material deteriorated. Therefore, it was reproduced. Inside we can find a corridor about 17 meters long that ends in three small chambers. The vaulted ceiling is made of stones that are maintained without the need for other materials. One of the great curiosities of Newgrange is in the entrance that, apparently, was sealed with a stone.
The stone carvings
On the other hand, we have to tell you about the carvings that decorate some of the stones both inside and outside, which apparently collect cosmological and astronomical observations. And it is that the movements of the sun were very important for the inhabitants of this area of Ireland. Most of the decorations are spirals, although it is also possible to see circles, zigzag lines and rhombuses.
Winter Solstice
Although visiting this monument is spectacular at any time of year, there is a day when it is magical . We refer to December 21, that is, the day of the winter solstice, when light enters its interior in a super special way. During this day, a lucky few enter the building to see how the light begins to flood the chamber until it makes its way through all the nooks and crannies of the corridor. Without a doubt, this is a show that gives you goose bumps. The bad thing is that to contemplate it you will have to participate in a raffle in which thousands of participants participate. The good thing is that all visitors have the opportunity to see a simulation of the solstice at any time of the year that is quite true to life. Then we leave you with our gallery , where you can see more images of this mysterious prehistoric structure located in Ireland. Do not miss it!
