Ring of Brodgar

Orkney, United Kingdom

The Ring Of Brodgar Stone Circle And Henge, which is part of The Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site, is a spectacular stone circle. The ring is surrounded by a large circular ditch or henge. The truly circular layout of the ring is an unusual attribute that singles it out as one of the largest and finest stone circles in the British Isles. The Ring of Brodgar (alternative spelling Brogar) comprises a massive ceremonial enclosure and stone circle probably dating from between 2500 and 2000 BC. Around it are at least 13 prehistoric burial mounds and a stone setting (2500-1500 BC). The erecting of the stones, along with the massive rock cut ditch was an activity that required considerable manpower and organisation.

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Address

B9055, Orkney, United Kingdom
See all sites in Orkney

Details

Founded: 2500-2000 BC
Category: Prehistoric and archaeological sites in United Kingdom

More Information

whc.unesco.org
www.orkneyjar.com
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby


Standing Stones of Stenness (1,5 km)
Barnhouse Neolithic Settlement (1,5 km)
Maeshowe (2,4 km)
Unstan Chambered Cairn (2 km)
Cuween Hill Chambered Cairn (7 km)
Broch of Borwick (7,8 km)


St. Magnus Cathedral (15,6 km)
Bishop's Palace (15,6 km)
Earl's Palace (15,7 km)
Skara Brae (8,3 km)
Italian Chapel (23,1 km)
Broch of Gurness (16 km)
Midhowe Broch (18,9 km)
Castle of Mey (39,4 km)
Earl's Palace (15,1 km)

User Reviews

Adam Eastbury (4 months ago)
Good info signs. A good sized layby to park up in. Worth seeing this then going to Skara Brae neolithic village for context.
Michelle Morgan (6 months ago)
This attraction is open to the public. You need to follow the bath around the stones as they are resting the grass on the inner ring. Very interesting to see and worth a visit
Laura Weixelbaum (6 months ago)
What an amazing place! So ancient, so mystical. Stunning! But be carefull with the curious cows!
AndresRafael StefaniSucre (7 months ago)
Ryan Owen (8 months ago)
An amazing and magical place to watch the sun rise.
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The castle first mentioned in 1200 was originally owned by the King and later, at the end of the 13th century it fell in hands of Matúš Èák. Its owners alternated - at the end of the 14th century the family of Stibor of Stiborice bought it.

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The history of the castle is the subject of different legends. One of them narrates the origin of the name of castle derived from that of jester Becko for whom the Duke Stibor had the castle built.

Another legend has it that the lord of the castle had his servant thrown down from the rock because he protected his child from the lords favourite dog. Before his death, the servant pronounced a curse saying that they would meet in a year and days time, and indeed precisely after that time the lord was bitten by a snake and fell down to the same abyss.

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