Kildalton Cross facts for kids
The Kildalton Cross is a very old and famous stone cross found on the island of Islay in Scotland. It's a special type of cross called a high cross or Celtic cross. These crosses are usually made from one large piece of stone. The Kildalton Cross was carved a long, long time ago, probably in the late 700s AD. It looks a lot like other old crosses found on the nearby island of Iona. Many people think it's the best Celtic cross still standing in Scotland. It's also one of the most amazing old monuments in all of western Europe.
The name "Kildalton" comes from the Scottish Gaelic words Cill Daltain. This means "Church of the Foster Son," which refers to Saint John the Evangelist. The cross and the old church next to it are looked after by Historic Environment Scotland. They are both protected as a scheduled ancient monument. This means they are very important historical sites. There is also a simpler, newer cross nearby.
What the Cross Looks Like
The Kildalton Cross is covered in beautiful carvings. One of the most important carvings shows the Virgin and Child. This is an image of Mary, the mother of Jesus, holding her baby. This carving is very similar to other Virgin and Child images found on famous crosses like St. Martin's Cross and St. Oran's Cross on Iona.
The way the Virgin and Child are shown on the Kildalton Cross also looks a bit like pictures in the Book of Kells. The Book of Kells is a very old and famous illustrated manuscript. These carvings show how important religious art was during the medieval period in Scotland.
