Iona Cross

St John's Cross This is the original cross, or rather the remaining fragements, of the most spectacular sculpture produce on the island. It was orignially erected in the 8th Century in front of St Columba's shrine, a saint who was given powers by God of visions and healing. People came from all over europe to pray at his tomb, and three great works were commissioned in his memory, a lost metal reliquary shrine, the vellum Book of Kells and the stone Cross of St John. The cross is carved from green chlorite schist, 5.3 metres high and 2 metres wide, however only 22cm thick, and it fractured early on in its life leaving the top arm broken. The cross was repaired, and supported by new quadrants. Information at the museum on Iona tells us that this is how the free-standing ringed (Celtic) cross orignated, and it became a model for the Irish crosses.