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Footprint Newsroom
| Client: |
English Heritage (Yorkshie |
| Issue date: |
21 May 2010 |
The 'path to
paradise' takes visitors to Rievaulx Abbey
It is a tradition that dates back to pre-history, and for nine days, visitors to Rievaulx Abbey will be able to rediscover the experience of the medieval labyrinth as the site hosts its spring event, the Path to Paradise, from 29 May to 6 June 2010.
Rievaulx’s labyrinth will be based upon a pattern found in Chartres Cathedral in France, a design laid out on the floor which was designed to help monks in their meditation. Although the labyrinth will be cut into the grass – rather than carved into stone as the Chartres version – the idea will be the same: to allow visitors to explore a winding path around the cloister to the centre, finding enlightenment along the way!
“For monks, labyrinths permitted them to both exercise and meditate within a relatively short space, following the path laid out on the floor and engaging in quiet contemplation en-route,” explains Nobby Dimon of North Country Theatre, whose members will be populating the labyrinth dressed in traditional Cistercian robes. “Unlike a maze, there is just one route taking visitors from the outside to the centre, but the path is symbolic of a pilgrimage – a twisty path to enlightenment!”
Along the labyrinth route, which is about half a mile long of coiled, twisting paths inside the cloister, visitors will meet a trio of monks, singing and reciting, sometimes giving out small challenges for the ‘pilgrims’ to undertake, such as reading a poem aloud.
“The wonder of the labyrinth is that it can have so many different interpretations – children can use it as a route to race around, trying to get to the centre and back out again in the shortest possible time, whilst older visitors can take their time to meander around the path, and rest on the benches at the centre,” adds Nobby.
The Path to Paradise is part of the Aelred 900 season, celebrating 900 years since the birth of St Aelred of Rievaulx, the third abbot of Rievaulx Abbey and the man credited with transforming a humble place of worship into a hub of commerce and industry, with lands reaching as far to the North as Teesside!
The event runs each day from 11.00am to 4.00pm, with the site additionally open daily from 10.00am to 6.00pm. Admission prices are £5.30 for adults, £4.50 for concessions and £2.70 for children. English Heritage members get in free.
For more information, please call 01439 798228 or visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/rievaulxabbey . You can also find out more about English Heritage events in Yorkshire by joining the Facebook group (search for Yorkshire Whats-On) or by following EHYevents on Twitter.
ENDS
For further media information, please contact: Jay Commins PRO – English Heritage Tel: 0113 251 5698 Mob: 07810 546567 Email: jay@fim.org.uk
Rievaulx’s labyrinth will be based upon a pattern found in Chartres Cathedral in France, a design laid out on the floor which was designed to help monks in their meditation. Although the labyrinth will be cut into the grass – rather than carved into stone as the Chartres version – the idea will be the same: to allow visitors to explore a winding path around the cloister to the centre, finding enlightenment along the way!
“For monks, labyrinths permitted them to both exercise and meditate within a relatively short space, following the path laid out on the floor and engaging in quiet contemplation en-route,” explains Nobby Dimon of North Country Theatre, whose members will be populating the labyrinth dressed in traditional Cistercian robes. “Unlike a maze, there is just one route taking visitors from the outside to the centre, but the path is symbolic of a pilgrimage – a twisty path to enlightenment!”
Along the labyrinth route, which is about half a mile long of coiled, twisting paths inside the cloister, visitors will meet a trio of monks, singing and reciting, sometimes giving out small challenges for the ‘pilgrims’ to undertake, such as reading a poem aloud.
“The wonder of the labyrinth is that it can have so many different interpretations – children can use it as a route to race around, trying to get to the centre and back out again in the shortest possible time, whilst older visitors can take their time to meander around the path, and rest on the benches at the centre,” adds Nobby.
The Path to Paradise is part of the Aelred 900 season, celebrating 900 years since the birth of St Aelred of Rievaulx, the third abbot of Rievaulx Abbey and the man credited with transforming a humble place of worship into a hub of commerce and industry, with lands reaching as far to the North as Teesside!
The event runs each day from 11.00am to 4.00pm, with the site additionally open daily from 10.00am to 6.00pm. Admission prices are £5.30 for adults, £4.50 for concessions and £2.70 for children. English Heritage members get in free.
For more information, please call 01439 798228 or visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/rievaulxabbey . You can also find out more about English Heritage events in Yorkshire by joining the Facebook group (search for Yorkshire Whats-On) or by following EHYevents on Twitter.
ENDS
For further media information, please contact: Jay Commins PRO – English Heritage Tel: 0113 251 5698 Mob: 07810 546567 Email: jay@fim.org.uk