A BRONZE sculpture inspired by both the legend of King Arthur and Tintagel Castle’s royal past is the centrepiece of a new visitor experience which explores the history of the Cornish castle and the crucial role legends have played in shaping the site visitors see today.
The new interpretation went on public display last Friday. Designed to complement the castle’s indoor exhibition, the new outdoor interpretation invites visitors to explore the 18-acre site in a new way.
A series of panels reveal 1,500-years of Tintagel’s past – from royal stronghold, to thriving trading port, to a castle of romantic legend.
A highlight of the new interpretation is Gallos (meaning power in Cornish) a bronze sculpture inspired by the legend of King Arthur, by the historic kings and royal figures associated with Tintagel. Created by artist Rubin Eynon, this eight-foot figure of a king watches over his realm, the land ahead of him, the Atlantic sea beyond.
Elsewhere, a stone compass points to places across the British Isles connected with the Arthurian legend while engraved stepping stones around the island garden tell the medieval tale of Tristan and Iseult.
On the beach, close to Merlin’s Cave, a carved face represents Merlin, a figure associated with the site since the 12th century and immortalised by the poetry of Alfred, Lord Tennyson.
Crafted from bronze, slate and stone, the materials used to create the sculptures also reflect Tintagel’s industrial past.
Jeremy Ashbee, English Heritage’s head curator, said: “With our exhibition and with this new interpretation, visitors to Tintagel can now get a complete overview of its history — from the artefacts discovered there to the legends associated with it.
“You cannot understand Tintagel’s history without understanding how the legends shaped it. Our new interpretation explains this and places these legends within the context of Tintagel’s overall history and significance.”