Kildalton Cross

The Kildalton Cross ( Scottish Gaelic Cill Cros Daltain ) is a Celtic cross on the Scottish Hebridean island of Islay. It is located in the southeast of the island near the settlements Kintour and Ardmore. The cross stands in the churchyard of the Kildalton Chapel. It is part of the ensemble of chapel and cemetery, which is classified in the British lists of monuments in the category B. Kildalton Cross is also referred to as the Great Cross, to distinguish it from the external to the cemetery Kildalton Small Cross, which is also classified as a category B listed.

Kildalton Cross had declined over the centuries. To counteract a possible damage of the cross, it was removed in 1862. Under the foundation of a second, small cross was exposed. In addition, including the remains of a man and a woman were discovered, which were probably died an unnatural death. A cast of the cross was made, which is exhibited in the National Museum of Scotland. Most recently, the foundation has been restored and erected the cross again.

Description

The 2.65 m high cross with his 1,32 m long transverse bar is made from a piece of locally occurring stone. The front is decorated with typical ornaments and snakes, dragons and birds. On the back, however, biblical scenes are shown, including the battle of David with the lion, Abraham's preparations for the sacrifice of Isaac, Cain's murder of Abel and Mary and Child with Angels. Kildalton Cross is of the same construction as the crosses on Iona and probably also comes from the second half of the eighth century.