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Kirkwall, Orkney Islands - Capital, Stone Circles and Skara Brae Stone Age Village (with AIDAaura to Greenland and Iceland 14)

Publisearre: 31.07.2022

In Kirkwall we had to take a tender boat to the city, which initially annoyed us (especially when we waited for the boat in the hallway for 20 minutes). In the end, this way to the city turned out to be advantageous: instead of a long walk from the cruise ship dock or a ride in the crowded shuttle bus, we arrived directly in the city center at the dock.


Entrance to Kirkwall
Entrance to Kirkwall


We walked around a lake next to the city center to get to the center.


Kirkwall
Kirkwall


On the way, we passed the well-designed garden of Tankerness House.


Tankerness Garden, Kirkwall
Tankerness Garden, Kirkwall


A short distance away stands St. Magnus Cathedral above the city.


St. Magnus Cathedral
St. Magnus Cathedral


A little further on, in the community house, we saw a short film about its creation and the history of Saint Magnus (whom we did not know until then).


St. Magnus Cathedral
St. Magnus Cathedral


He was a peaceful ruler of the Orkney Islands who lived during the Norwegian supremacy on the islands. His cousin, who ruled with him, was not quite as peaceful and had him murdered in an ambush.


Earl
Earl's Palace


Opposite the cathedral are the medieval ruins of Earl's Palace, which we visited.


Earl
Earl's Palace


The bishop also had a palace right next door, but only remnants can be seen today.


Bishop
Bishop's Palace


In both complexes, information boards with illustrations give an impression of what it once looked like.


Kirkwall
Kirkwall


Finally, we strolled through the shopping street, which was quite crowded due to the two cruise ships in town.


Orkney Museum
Orkney Museum


We also visited the exhibition about the island and its history in the Orkney Museum opposite the cathedral.


Orkney Museum
Orkney Museum


There, the unique chairs, which are only made on Orkney, were also exhibited. They have two drawers: one for the Bible, the other for the bottle of whisky.


Bay near Skara Brae


In the afternoon, our excursion took us to the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'The Heart of Neolithic Orkney'.


Skara Brae
Skara Brae


First, we drove to the Stone Age village of Skara Brae, which has long been buried under sand dunes.


Skara Brae
Skara Brae


In 1850, a storm uncovered the structures, and the about 5000-year-old village was rediscovered.


Skara Brae
Skara Brae


Even the interior, with a fireplace and beds, was partially preserved.


Skara Brae
Skara Brae


The nearby Skaill House is a mansion from the 17th century.


Skaill House
Skaill House


Here we could see rooms that still had furnishings from earlier times.


Skaill House
Skaill House


Next to the visitor center of Skara Brae, there is a replica of one of the houses from the archaeological site.


Replica of a house from Skara Brae
Replica of a house from Skara Brae


There, you can get an impression of the grass-covered roof and the interior.


Replica of a house from Skara Brae
Replica of a house from Skara Brae


On the way back, we saw two stone circles.


Ring of Brodgar
Ring of Brodgar


We stopped at the Ring of Brodgar to take a closer look and walk around it.


Ring of Brodgar
Ring of Brodgar


The stone circle is about 5000 years old.


Ring of Brodgar
Ring of Brodgar


Today, 36 of the original 60 monoliths, which are between 2 and 4.5 meters high, are still standing.


Ring of Brodgar
Ring of Brodgar


The circle has a diameter of 103.7 meters.


Ring of Brodgar
Ring of Brodgar


Its function is still unclear today, but it is a very popular photo motif for visitor groups...


Ring of Brodgar
Ring of Brodgar


We finally returned to the ship with some delay and took the last tender boat that was waiting for us.


View of AIDAaura from Kirkwall
View of AIDAaura from Kirkwall


Then our ship set course for Bremerhaven, where our journey ended.

Antwurd

Feriene Keninkryk
Reisrapporten Feriene Keninkryk
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