Rievaulx Terrace, Yorkshire, England

Rievaulx Terrace was created in the 1750s by Thomas Duncombe II. He wanted a place to bring his guests from Duncombe Park where they could enjoy a stroll and fantastic views, as well as a fine meal. He had the terrace flattened and put up two small temples for entertaining. Now the property is part of the National Trust and is open to visitors who want to appreciate the view and picnic, maybe not in the style of Duncombe's guests.

We arrived and took the recommended route, walking through a woodland glade on the way to the Tuscan Temple. The path was long but held plenty of interest for us.

Actually, it looks like only one choice

We came upon the sky glade, a spot where tree trunks are set up at an angle so visitors can rest and appreciate the sky. We all tried it out.

J reads about sky glade

Looks a little like a stone circle

L glades

The view

Further on is the natural play area, with physical challenges and stick dens galore.

L discovers stepping stumps

J and L at one stick den

J in the deluxe stick den

The trail ended by the Tuscan Temple, built toward the end of the 1750s. The appearance is based on the Temple of Vesta in Rome and has been known as the Tuscan Temple since it was built. The Tuscan style has a plain entablature (the area just above the columns) and the columns have bases. On this temple, the entablature has a variety of decorations and the columns are directly on the floor, which is the Doric style. Whoops!

J runs to the (supposedly) Tuscan Temple!

Side view (note, columns without bases!)

The far side of the temple (note decorations above the columns!)

Detail of the decorated entablature

J and L enjoyed measuring their height against the temple base (it's about 5.5 feet at its highest) and peeking inside.

One table all alone, not very good for a picnic

The ornate ceiling

The painting at the top

We had our own picnic lunch outside the Tuscan Temple and then walked across the terrace to the Ionic Temple. Along the way, the views down to Rievaulx Abbey and over the countryside were impressive, along with the fake horse and the old Carriage Entrance to the terrace (you don't think Duncombe's guests walked to the terrace, do you?).

The terrace is just a bunch of grass

Rievaulx Abbey below

More of the abbey

L and the horse sculpture

The old Carriage Entrance

The Ionic Temple was also based on a classical Roman structure--the Maison Carree at Nimes. The characteristic bit of Ionic style is the volutes, a spiral-like or scroll-like ornament at the top of a column.

Ionic Temple

Side view

Scrolly bit at the top

The temple has a very practical use. It is a sumptuous dining room where Duncombe's guests could refresh themselves with a nice meal in a fabulously ornate setting.

Not available to visiting picnickers (I asked!)

Cherubic candle stand

The most amazing part of the room is the ceiling painted by Italian artist Giuseppe Mattia Borgnis. The theme is mythological, with various Greek gods and heroes at iconic moments or in famous poses.

Sun god Apollo in his chariot

Andromeda about to be saved by Perseus

A reminder to rest!

Zeus trying to woo another woman..geez, doesn't that guy ever stop?

Bath time, or possibly Hades kidnapping Persephone

Underneath is a room that served as a kitchen (you didn't think Duncombe's guests had cold food or brought it themselves, did you?). Later, it was home to the gardener who cut the terrace lawn. Now it is an information center with details about Duncombe, the terrace, the abbey, and the temples. L enjoyed jumping down into the entrance.

Entrance to the exhibit

The terrace is a great place to visit on a sunny, clear day. We didn't visit the abbey since it is run by English Heritage and we only have the National Trust membership. They should come up with some sort of dual membership if you ask me.
 

Ggantija Temples, Gozo, Malta

The Ggantija Temples on Gozo are among the most ancient buildings still extant in the world. Built around 3600-3000 B.C., they predate the Egyptian Pyramids and Stonehenge by a thousand years. The temples are called "ggantija" or "giant" because folklore tells that a female giant brought the stones to construct them. The outer stones are up to five meters in length and weigh 40 to 50 tons.

Ggantija Temples

Side view

The other side

View from the back

There are two temples, both surrounded by the outer wall. The south temple is the older and larger (and better preserved). They were working on the entrance when we visited.

Temple supporters

The entrance to the South Temple

The doorway of the entrance has several large holes, presumably for doors or screens. The temple has five chambers or apses where services were held. Many animal bones were found in the area, indicating the offering of livestock. To whom or for what purpose is unknown.

Holes in the doorway

Front chamber

Altars or tables?

A small fire pit

The main apse paved with flagstones in 37th century B.C.!

Another chamber

The view from the temples is quite impressive, including the massive domed church in Xewkija.

View of Gozo

View of Xewkija and its church

The north temple is smaller and has similar features--the doorway holes, large chambers, etc. Unfortunately it has a bit of graffiti too.

Doorway with holes

Chamber

Stone walls

Modern graffiti

L, happily, was not scared here, in spite of the ancient practices that may have gone on.

L's okay, really!

Up the hill is a museum that has some items from the temples. The museum is also the entrance to the site.

L anxious to get in!

Remnants of stone statue

Artist's conception of a complete statue

Small human and animal figures

Vase base

Etching of birds

Female human skull

There is little evidence of the culture of the builders of the temples. The Maltese Temple Culture abruptly ended just before 2500 B.C. The Bronze Age inhabitant that came after used the site for cremations. Debris and dirt eventually covered it up, leaving a mound with a stone wall. In 1820, British Lt. Col. John Otto Bayer began excavating the site. It was a long process. Not until 1949 was the site opened to the public. It is surely worth visiting.