View of Glendalough Round Tower

This round tower is about 30 meters high and has 6 floors. At a height of 3.6 m there is a door that could be reached with a ladder.

The most famous of all the landmarks in Glendalough is the Round Tower which stands 33 meters above the ground. It was built almost 1000 years ago by the monks of St. Kevin’s monastery. The conical roof had to be replaced in 1876 when it was struck by lightning. The towers were called “Cloigtheach”, meaning bell tower, suggesting their main use. The towers were sometimes used as a place of refuge for monks when the monastery was under attack. They also served as both as lookout posts and as beacons foe approaching monks and pilgrims.

Ireland is famous for its round towers, and this one in Glendalough is one of the most famous of them all. They were normally built between the 9th and 12th centuries and were used for calling people to prayer. In the late In the late 19th century, the conical top of the round tower in Glendalough was hit by lighting, destroying it. At 30 metres high, it is an imposing sight and the centrepiece of this ancient monastic centre.