- Type
- Castle
- Built
- c. 1100 · 11th century
- Location
- Isle of Man
- Commissioned by
- Magnus Barefoot
- Coordinates
- 54.2265°, -4.6991°
History
St Patrick's Isle off the west coast of the Isle of Man was a church centre from the early Middle Ages, which has left behind St Patrick's Church and an Irish-style round tower. The first fortifications are credited to King Magnus Barefoot of Norway, who seized the island at the end of the 11th century; they date from around 1100. The kings of Mann and the Isles kept one of their seats here, and in the 13th century St German's Cathedral was built on the islet. The red sandstone walls that girdle almost the whole islet were mostly built in the 14th and 15th centuries, when the island was under English rule and, from 1405, held by the Stanley family. In the 18th century the fortress lost its military role and began to decay.
What to see
The islet, linked by a causeway to Peel harbour, is entered through a gate in massive red sandstone walls. Inside stand the ruins of St German's Cathedral and St Patrick's Church, the round tower and the remains of the lords' residence and barracks. Finds from the excavations, including the rich grave of a Viking woman known as the Pagan Lady, are displayed in the island's museums. The walls look out over the harbour, the beach and the town of Peel.
Wikipedia article Wikidata Q2660524
Popularity: articles about this site in 11 Wikimedia projects (Wikipedia language editions and others).