Many places across Europe are dedicated to Saint Michael.
Who was Saint Michael?
Saint Michael is the patron of many countries, cities, and people such as rescuers, skydivers, the deceased, and more. He is also a figure in many different religions, such as Catholicism, Orthodoxism, Protestantism, Islam, and Judaism.
In Christian culture, Saint Michael is often portrayed while holding a libra, a symbol of peace and balance, and a sword, which represents the power of changing and liberation, but also the ability to tell good from evil.
A recent 'ley lines' theory supposes that the Earth is crossed by 'spiritual' lines, which have religious significance and are bearers of supernatural energy. These ley lines are said to connect many shrines that are dedicated to Saint Michael - their alignment is not coincidental, but rather a divine scheme laid out by supernatural forces.
Despite its increasing popularity, this theory is considered pseudoscientific, and is not confirmed by any reliable source since no scientific evidence indicates that the alignment was planned and meaningful.
Connecting shrines to Saint Michael across Europe, the line drawn is in the shape of a sword. In this blog, we'll explore seven sites that could be said to be connected by Saint Michael's blade.
Skellig Michael, Ireland
Skellig Michael is twin-pinnacled crag situated in the sea in the southwest of Ireland.
The Gaelic Christian Monastery dedicated to Saint Michael was founded between the 6th and 8th centuries, and was inhabited until the late 12th or early 13th century despite its inhospitable location and difficult terrain. The monastery includes cells, a graveyard, an oratory, and a church dedicated to Saint Michael, which dates to the 10th or early 11th century.
Today, the church has collapsed for the most part. In the 1920s, two lighthouses were built on the Atlantic side of the island. The church now contains a grave for members of the family of one of the lighthouse keepers.
St Michael's Mount, United Kingdom
St Michael's Mount is a tidal island in Cornwall, England. Historically, it is the English counterpart of Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy which is also a tidal island, with a similar conical shape.
The Chapel of St. Michael dates back to 1135 and was rebuilt in the 15th century. An old tale says that the Archangel Michael appeared before local fishermen on the mount in the 5th century. The Chapel is still open today, and now serves the Order of St John.
In the early 18th century, St Michael's Mount became an important seaport. By the 19th century, the population peaked and a community formed lasting until 1852, when the improvements to nearby Penzance harbour marked the decline of the village and many of the buildings were demolished.
Today it’s possible to visit the island, including the chapel, underground railway and fortified castle, home to the home of the St Aubyn family since the 1600s, where many historic objects have been preserved such as a Samurai armour, a statue of St Michael offering mercy to the Devil at his feet, a mummified cat, and more.
Mont Saint-Michel, France
Mont Saint-Michel in northern France is the tidal island that twins St Michael's Mount in Cornwall. The bay in which the islet rises with its tides makes it the most popular tourist site in Normandy, and one of the first in the whole of France.
According to the legend, the archangel Michael appeared to Saint Aubert, bishop of Avranches, in 709 requesting a church to be built for him on the island. However, the bishop ignored the request until Saint Michael burned a hole into the bishop's skull with his finger. The bishop survived and then set about building the church. The skull of Saint Aubert with the hole is now preserved in the cathedral of Avranches, Normandy.
Mont Saint-Michel is one of the three most famous worship places dedicated to Saint Michael, and is one of the most popular Christian pilgrimage destinations in Europe.
Sacra di San Michele, Italy
The Sacra di San Michele stands in the Susa Valley region in northern Italy. Due to its elevated position, the site has historically hosted fortifications by the various populations that inhabited the area.
Around the year 900, Count Hugh of Montboissier went on a pilgrimage to Rome to seek indulgence from the Pope. The Pope gave him a choice to atone for his sins: either to go into exile for seven years or to build an abbey. Thus, between 983 and 987, he built the Sacra di San Michele which was then inhabited by Benedictine monks.
After six centuries of monastic life, the Sacra was then abandoned for about two hundred years until 1836, when King Charles Albert of Savoy initiated its restoration, reviving its former glory. Today, the Sacra houses 16 sarcophagi containing the remains of members of the House of Savoy, each weighing 5 tons. The site is currently undergoing preservation and restoration efforts.
Santuario di San Michele Arcangelo, Italy
This site in southern Italy has been venerated since the year 490.
It was built above the grotto where, according to legend, Saint Michael first appeared in the region. From the 7th century onwards, the area came under Lombard rule. The cult of Saint Michael developed here in a context of archaic religion and Norse influence, attributing to the Archangel Michael war-like characteristics similar to those associated with Odin, the Germanic god of war, guide to the afterlife, and protector of men and warriors.
The sanctuary consists of the natural grotto and a complex of various constructions built by different populations over the centuries. It is a popular site for both religious pilgrims and tourists.
Archangel St Michael Monastery of Panormitis, Greece
On the island of Symi, a monastery stands in front of a white sand beach, with a baroque tower that is visible from the sea. The exact date of its construction is unknown, but it was probably built around 450 AD on the site of a former temple of Apollo. Over time, the structure has been altered and expanded. The exterior has been re-styled with Venetian influence, and a tower was added in 1911.
This Greek Orthodox monastery is dedicated to Saint Michael of Panormitis, who is the patron of the island as well as the protector of sailors throughout the Dodecanese.
Inside the monastery, there is an icon of Saint Michael, which is believed to be miraculous. According to legend, the icon miraculously appeared in the monastery, and, after it was stolen once, it later reappeared in the same spot.
Stella Maris Monastery, Israel
Perched on Mount Carmel near Haifa, this historic site has captivated many since ancient times.
The earliest mentions of Mount Carmel date back to Egyptian records from the 14th century BC, noting it as a conquest of Pharaoh Thutmose III. The allure of this sacred mountain attracted a group of devout hermits who established a monastery here, dedicating it to the Archangel St. Michael.
Today, the monastery is renowned for its chapel, a place of profound tranquillity and reflection. Beneath the altar lies a grotto believed to be the very cave where the prophet Elijah once lived.
In the 12th century, the Crusaders, recognising the site's strategic importance, fortified the monastery to serve the Carmelite order. The Carmelites extended their presence by founding another sanctuary at the southern tip of Mount Carmel and one at Wadi es-Siah, now evocative ruins.
