Overview

The Island has an impressive Manx stone cross collection with more than 200 decorated stones in existence – the largest concentration for this period.

The earliest slabs show Celtic styles ranging from simple cross designs and later complicated interlace. Inscriptions in Celtic lettering and occasionally Latin commemorate the dead.

After the Vikings settled and later converted to Christianity Norse sculptors decorated their stones with images from their Pagan mythology and interlace.

Cast copies of all the stories are also kept at the Manx Museum forming an invaluable reference collection.

The stones are treated as ancient monuments and are under the protection of Manx National Heritage.

You’ll find most of the stones in the churches and churchyards around the Island including Maughold, Lonan and Onchan– why not take a road trip and try and find them all?

Location

You will find ancient stone crosses in a number of churches and churchyards around the Island.

Admission to them is free, disabled access and parking varies between sites.

Contact

The Manx Stone Cross Collection is under the protection of Manx National Heritage.

For more information telephone 01624 648017 or visit www.manxnationalheritage.im.