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Location Information:
Glastonbury Abbey was a rich and
powerful monastery in Glastonbury,
Somerset, England. Since at least
the 12th century the Glastonbury
area was frequently associated with
the legend of King Arthur, a
connection promoted by medieval
monks who asserted that Glastonbury
was Avalon. The abbey was suppressed
during the Dissolution of the
Monasteries under King Henry VIII of
England. The ruins and associated
buildings are open today as a
visitor attraction.
The
ruins of Glastonbury Abbey were
purchased by the Bath and Wells
Diocesan Trust in 1908. The ruins
are therefore now the property of
the Church of England. On acquiring
the site the Church appointed
Frederick Bligh Bond to direct an
archaeological investigation.
A
pilgrimage to the ruins of
Glastonbury Abbey was held by a few
local churches in 1924. Pilgrimages
continue today to be held; in the
second half of June for the
Anglicans and early in July for the
Catholics and they attract visitors
from all over Western Europe.
Services are celebrated in the
Anglican, Roman Catholic and Eastern
Orthodox traditions.
The
ruins of the great church, along
with the Lady Chapel is a grade I
listed building, set in 36 acres
(150,000 m2) of parkland and open to
the public. It is approached by the
Abbey Gatehouse which was built in
the mid 14th century and completely
restored in 1810. The 14th century
Abbey Barn is also open to the
public, outside the walls, as part
of the Somerset Rural Life Museum.
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