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Iona Abbey. Photo by Reading Tom –

Top 10 Astonishing Facts about Iona Abbey

One of the oldest Christian religious centres in western Europe, Iona Abey is located on the beautiful island of Iona just off the isle of Muli, one of the west coasts of Scotland.

The abbey was a vital point for the spread of Christianity throughout Scotland. Iona Abbey is the spiritual centre of the Iona Community, an ecumenical Christian religious order whose headquarters is in Glasgow.

Due to readability by sea from Ireland, it was here that St Columbus landed in AD 563 beginning his Christianization of Scotland. Today Iona abbey is regarded as a popular site for Christian pilgrimage.

1. Iona abbey was a centre prune to Viking raids during its early existence

The beautiful abbey was prune to Viking raids in its early existence. In AD 795 a fleet of Norse ships descended upon Iona. The Vikings killed the monks present and made away with the abbey treasures.

As a result of the raids, the monks established a new community at kells, in Ireland, which was safe from attacks at the time. Among the many treasures, safely kept here include the books of kells.

Despite the frequent raids from the Vikings, the abbey stood resilient.A twist of fate saw some Vikings settling in western Scotland and embracing Christianity. Remarkably a Norse king Olaf Sihtricsson of Dublin, converted into a monk at Iona.

2. It is a  place of pilgrimage for many Christian believers

Iona Abbey is viewed as a holy isle and has been described as the birthplace of Celtic Christianity in Scotland. To visitors and pilgrims alike, the abbey is of particular historical and religious interest.

This medieval abbey has preserved ecclesiastical buildings surviving from the middle ages. Despite its size, it has a unique fine architectural detail and many religious monuments.

In fact, the historic environment of Scotland recommends visiting the Augustinian nunnery, “the most complete nunnery complex to survive in Scotland”

3. The site was a medieval burial site and the final resting place of  Sottish kings  

Iona (Inner Hebrides, Scotland, UK) photo by Gunther –  

Iona Abbey was a final resting place of several lords of the isle and other noble members of west highland clans, including early MacLeod chiefs. Iona has been part of the kingdom of the isles, making the early kings of Alba traced their origin here.

16th-century inventory counts at least 8 Norwegian,4 Irish and 48 Scottish kings buried here.

 4. Iona  abbey has ascetic cloisters unique dating back to its early construction

Cloisters at Iona Abbey.Photo by Roger Vander –

At the heart of the abbey complex, the life of the ascetic site revolved around the cloisters. It connected the church with the rest of the buildings and covered the walkways issuing people serenity and quietness to meditate.

There are little few remains of the majestic medieval cloister, what is viewed today was renovated in the 1950s and 6os.

A number of grave slabs are set up around the cloisters which were either curved locally or brought to the abbey when a chief was carried to Iona for burial.

 5. The site was the final resting ground of St Columbus

Upon his death in 597, the celebrated saint is believed to have been put to rest at Iona abbey grounds. A small shrine beside the church commonly known as St Columbia’s shrine marks the traditional sport Columbus’s remains were enshrined.The road of the dead leads to the door of this abbey.

6. St Oran’s chapel is the oldest church present in the Iona complex

Freestanding cross outside Iona Abbey photo by Andrew Grey –   

On the grounds of Iona abbey lays a rectangular chapel believed to be built by Somerled as a private chapel for his family.  St orans chapel is probably the oldest original part of the medieval Iona abbey complex to withstand the trials of time and decay.

7. The Benedictine Abbey is the replacement of Columbus’s original church.

Around the 12 century, Iona abbey formed part of the lordships of the isles, governed by Somerled, the founder of Saint Oran’s chapel.

In  1200AD Benedictine monks were brought by Somerled younger’s son Ronald. He constructed a brand new church on the site of Columbus’s original church.

The Iona abbey church was left to decay when the crown of the lordship of the isle was crushed in 1494. The abbey fell to ruin by the end of the 17^th century.

8. Iona abbey interior has Celtic crosses from the medieval era

Inside the Iona Abbey Picture taken from the West towards Altar. Photo by Dirk Grützmacher –

The extraordinary Celtic high crosses, are considered among the finest pieces of pre-medieval art in Europe and are located in the isle of Iona.

It’s remarkable complete ornamented with a Pictish serpent-and-boss trimming on one side and holy figures on the end.

In 1874 duke of argil took the initiative and hired architect Robert Anderson to repair the ruins of Iona abbey.

In 1899 the nunnery, abbey, st orans chapel, and the burial grounds were renewed to a new organization, the Iona cathedral trust.

The renovations of the abbey started in 1901 and were completed in 1910. The 2^nd transformation of Iona abbey took place in 1938 when Rev George MacLeod formed the Iona community.

9. Book of kells, an ancient manuscript is believed to originate from Iona 

Grave slab (c900s) echoing decoration from manuscripts like the Book of Kells. Photo by Hast –

Iona Abbey is known to be the land where the book of kells first came into existence, a religious manuscript from the medieval era.

The book entails the four gospels of the new testament and is thought to have been written by the Celtic monks in the Colombian monastery the Iona abbey.

The book of kells was written on vellum type of historical material made from animal skin.

The book of kells is believed to be the manuscript on the altar which might have 1^st used in service on Iona abbey when summon was delivered by the monks.

10. Iona abbey museum was once a monks’ Infirmary

Today the abbey is in the great care of Historic Scotland, the abbey museum is contained in a re-established building that might once have been the monks’ infirmary.

The museum is a display of rich historic objects that have accumulated years of history since medieval times and its found in no other place other than the magnificent Iona abbey and its surroundings.

It has wonderful curved grave slabs from early Christianity to the medieval period, dating as far as the early Vikings.

The grave slabs commemorate west highland warriors in detail. Today Iona abbey is a destination for many tourists looking for a peaceful environment and a heaven for a spiritual retreat.