The Crannog on Llangorse Lake
Religious Fables, Folklore, Legends, and Stories
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Submitted by: Yuri Klitsenko

According to legends the surface of Llangorse Lake sometimes seemed to be covered with buildings, orchards and gardens.

(To enlarge the photo of the Early medieval shrine mount from Llangorse Lake Crannog, c. 9th century, click on the photo or link)

Curiously enough, an ancient Crannog or artificial island-dwelling came to light when its water level was lowered in the 19th century.

On occasion, Gerald of Wales tells us, local people saw Llangorse Lake covered with buildings, or adorned with gardens and orchards.

Although these accounts have a mythical base, Gerald was not writing about the otherworld, for the lake contains a remarkable crannog, a reed- and tree-covered artificial island which once bore a settlement dated to the late 9th or early 10th century.  (To enlarge the photo of The Crannog on Llangorse Lake, click on the photo or link)

A Similar Story is Told about Sunken Kitezh

According to legend Kitezh was built by Grand Prince Yuri of Vladimir, my patron Saint.

See: The Legend of the City of Kitezh Submerging Itself in Svetloyar Lake

Yuri Klitsenko is a Russian living in Moscow.  He works for the Russian Orthodox Church.

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