Thursday, November 28, 2013

Millions of Shells

Seashells remind us that every passing life leaves something beautiful behind.
~Unknown


In 1835, the Shell Grotto in Margate, England was discovered underneath a farmer's field. The grotto, which is covered in about 4.6 million shells, is a 70-foot-long passageway ending in a room known as the "Altar Chamber." You can read about its history here.

Shell Grotto, Margate
photo by Ben Salter

Shell Shapes, Margate
photo by Bruce Stokes

The Shell Grotto, Margate
photo by failing angel

Shell Doorway, Margate
photo by Toby Bradbury

Holey shells, Margate
photo by Toby Bradbury

A Shell to Call One's Home, Margate
photo by failing angel


One more grotto:

Nereid, Leeds Castle Grotto
photo by OFE
The Grotto at Leeds was designed In 1987 by architect Vernon Gibberd, working with sculptor and stone mason Simon Verity and shell artist Diana Reynell.


1 comment:

HWY said...

What a splendid thing this grotto is...should be the 8th wonder of the modern world!

The FAQ was very interesting, too; it didn't answer the question as to what it was or who built it, but it did show just how much we don't know about it.