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Brú na Bóinne - Archaeological Ensemble of the Bend of the Boyne

Newgrange, Ireland
29.03.2013

Brú na Bóinne, also known as the Bend of the Boyne, is a magnificent archaeological ensemble located in the Boyne Valley in Ireland. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must-visit for anyone interested in ancient history and stunning landscapes.

The site is home to three main passage tombs, Newgrange, Knowth, and Dowth, which were built over 5,000 years ago during the Neolithic period. These impressive structures are not only the largest and most complex megalithic sites in Ireland, but also some of the oldest in Europe.

Newgrange, the most famous of the three tombs, is a circular mound with a diameter of 85 meters and a height of 13 meters. The most remarkable feature of this tomb is its passage, which is aligned with the rising sun on the winter solstice. This means that on the shortest day of the year, sunlight floods through the entrance and illuminates the inner chamber, creating a spectacular display of ancient engineering and astronomical knowledge.

Knowth and Dowth, while not as well-known as Newgrange, are equally impressive in their own right. Knowth is the largest tomb in the Brú na Bóinne complex, with two passages and 127 decorated stones, making it the largest collection of megalithic art in Western Europe. Dowth, on the other hand, is unique for its triple spiral carvings, believed to represent the cycle of life, death, and rebirth.

Aside from the passage tombs, Brú na Bóinne also features over 90 additional monuments, including standing stones, henges, and mounds. These structures provide insight into the daily lives and rituals of the people who lived in the Boyne Valley during the Neolithic period.

Visitors to Brú na Bóinne can explore the site through guided tours, which provide fascinating information about the history, myths, and legends surrounding the tombs. The Visitor Center also offers interactive exhibits and displays, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the ancient culture and learn about the techniques and tools used to construct these impressive structures.

The stunning landscape surrounding Brú na Bóinne also adds to the overall experience. The Boyne Valley is filled with lush greenery, rolling hills, and the winding River Boyne, making it a peaceful and picturesque setting to explore.

In conclusion, Brú na Bóinne is a remarkable archaeological site that offers a fascinating glimpse into Ireland's ancient past. With its impressive structures, rich history, and beautiful surroundings, it is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in ancient civilizations and the mysteries of the past.


The three main prehistoric sites of the Brú na Bóinne Complex, Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth, are situated on the north bank of the River Boyne 50 km north of Dublin. This is Europe's largest and most important concentration of prehistoric megalithic art. The monuments there had social, economic, religious and funerary functions.

Brú na Bóinne (Irish: [ˈbˠɾˠuː n̪ˠə ˈbˠoːn̠ʲə], "mansion or palace of the Boyne"), also called the Boyne Valley tombs, is an ancient monument complex and ritual landscape in County Meath, Ireland, located in a bend of the River Boyne. It is one of the world's most important Neolithic landscapes, comprising at least ninety monuments including passage tombs, burial mounds, standing stones and enclosures. The site is dominated by the passage tombs of Newgrange (Sí an Bhrú), Knowth (Cnogbha) and Dowth (Dubhadh), built during the 32nd century BC. Together these have the largest assemblage of megalithic art in Europe. The associated archaeological culture is called the "Boyne culture".

Brú na Bóinne is also an important archaeoastronomical site; several of the passage tombs are aligned with the winter solstice and equinoxes. The area continued to be a site of ritual and ceremonial activity in the later Bronze Age and Iron Age. In Irish mythology, the tombs are said to be portals to the Otherworld and dwellings of the deities, particularly The Dagda and his son Aengus. They began to be studied by antiquarians in the 18th century, and archaeological excavations began in the 20th century, when some of the passage tombs underwent restoration.

Since 1993, the site has been a World Heritage Site designated by UNESCO as "Brú na Bóinne - Archaeological Ensemble of the Bend of the Boyne".

wikipedia.org