Kildalton Cross
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/8e/KildaltonCross-Islay-Scotland-1987-1.jpg/220px-KildaltonCross-Islay-Scotland-1987-1.jpg)
The Kildalton Cross is a monolithic high cross in Celtic cross form in the churchyard of the former parish church of Kildalton (from Scottish Gaelic Cill Daltain, "Church of the Foster Son" (i.e. St John the Evangelist) on the island of Islay in the Inner Hebrides, Scotland. It was carved probably in the second half of the 8th century AD, and is closely related to crosses of similar date on Iona. It is often considered the finest surviving Celtic cross in Scotland, and is certainly one of the most perfect monuments of its date to survive in western Europe. The cross and the adjacent roofless medieval parish church are in the care of Historic Environment Scotland (access at all times) and are jointly a scheduled ancient monument.[1] A simpler cross of late medieval date stands nearby.
Ornament
The Kildalton Cross features an iconic image of the Virgin and Child, which is closely related to similar Virgin and Child iconography found on St. Martin's Cross and St. Oran's Cross at Iona. In addition, this panel displays similarities with folio 7v in the Book of Kells. This type of iconography of the Virgin and Child may be related to contemporary Marian iconography in the Mediterranean, specifically the Maria Regina which was used in Rome to refute iconoclasm.[2]
See also
- Aros Bay
Notes
- ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Kildalton Church, church, High Cross, and cross 60m NE of (SM13236)". Retrieved 25 February 2019.
- ^ Humphrey, Hayley (2012). Representations of the Virgin Mary on Irish High Crosses: Icons, Narratives and Symbols of Power (PDF). Galway, Ireland: National University of Ireland, Galway.
External links
- One site with photos
- Kildalton high cross historical info Archived 31 August 2012 at the Wayback Machine
55°41′2″N 6°2′40″W / 55.68389°N 6.04444°W / 55.68389; -6.04444
- v
- t
- e
- Ardboe High Cross
- Ballymore Eustace High Crosses
- Bealin High Cross
- several at Clonmacnoise
- Cloonshanville High Cross
- Emlagh High Cross
- Iona Abbey
- Abbey of Kells
- Kildalton Cross
- several at Kilfenora
- Kilkieran High Crosses
- Killaloe Cathedral
- Killamery High Cross
- Moone High Cross
- Muiredach's High Cross and others at Monasterboice
- St. Mark's Cross
- St. Tola's Cross
- several at Tuam
![]() | This Argyll and Bute location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
- v
- t
- e