Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United Kingdom the Isle of Man St. John's Tynwald Hill
AO Edited

Tynwald Hill

Believed to be the former location of one of the earliest Viking assemblies in Europe.

St. John's, Isle of Man

Added By
Nicholas Davis
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Tynwald Hill 2.   TownTactics / Atlas Obscura User
Tynwald Hill 1.   TownTactics / Atlas Obscura User
Tynwald Hill 5.   TownTactics / Atlas Obscura User
Tynwald Hill 4.   TownTactics / Atlas Obscura User
Tynwald Hill 3.   TownTactics / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

This four-tiered hill in the village of St John’s on the Isle of Man is one of the island's most distinctive and historic landmarks. The Tynwald Hill marks Isle of Man’s independence as a self-governing crown dependency. Once a year on July 5th, Tynwald Day (Isle of Man’s – National Day), an open-air meeting of the Island’s parliament is held where new laws are proclaimed from the preceding year.

A military procession is conducted, as well as the singing of the national anthem. Afterward, there is a celebration of the Isle of Man's culture better known as Manx culture in various towns and villages.  These include music festivals, fairs, galas, and other events that showcase the Island's unique culture, food, and natural surroundings.

The hill is 12 feet high and comprised of four tiers. It was originally created in the 13th-century by what is thought to have been an ancient Viking civilization. This would make it one of the earliest assemblies found in northern Europe.

It's also believed to have been the site of early Viking attempts to introduce a representative system that allowed family disputes to be settled peacefully without the need for violence. There have been many discoveries at the site including Viking graves and even a temple dedicated to the Norse god Thor found near the site of St John’s Church.

Related Tags

Artifacts Ruins History & Culture Vikings

Know Before You Go

Tynwald Hill is located a 10 minute drive northwest of Douglas town in the little village of St John’s, just outside the historic coastal town of Peel. There is car parking at the site and there is even the Tynwald National Park and Arboretum that you can explore when visiting.

Community Contributors

Added By

TownTactics

Published

February 25, 2022

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Tynwald Hill
St. John's, Isle of Man, IM4 3BP
United Kingdom
54.203737, -4.642316
Visit Website

Nearby Places

Niarbyl Bay

Dalby, Isle of Man

miles away

The Old Fairy Bridge

Douglas, Isle of Man

miles away

Rushen Abbey

Ballasalla, Isle of Man

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Isle of Man

Isle of Man

United Kingdom

Places 15
Stories 2

Nearby Places

Niarbyl Bay

Dalby, Isle of Man

miles away

The Old Fairy Bridge

Douglas, Isle of Man

miles away

Rushen Abbey

Ballasalla, Isle of Man

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Isle of Man

Isle of Man

United Kingdom

Places 15
Stories 2

Related Places

  • Casa de Polvora Millstones

    Velha Goa, India

    Casa de Polvora Millstones

    The millstones of an ancient Portuguese gunpowder factory have been kept on display at Old Goa.

  • Lindisfarne, the Holy Island

    Holy Island of Lindisfarne, England

    Lindisfarne, the Holy Island

    This tidal island, a sacred site in early English Christianity, was the target of a notable Viking invasion.

  • Barbar, Bahrain

    Barbar Temple

    This archaeological site boasts temple ruins that date back 5,000 years to the Dilmun culture, and may have been described in the tale of Gilgamesh's search for immortality.

  • Chapel ruins and tombolo in the background.

    Bigton, Scotland

    St Ninian's Chapel

    This former chapel resides on an island connected to the mainland by one of Shetland's iconic beachy tombolos.

  • Garðar Cathedral Ruins

    Igaliku, Greenland

    Garðar Cathedral Ruins

    Walrus skulls and narwhal bones were found here while excavating a 900-year old church.

  • Labyrinten vid Tibble (The Tibble Maze)

    Hökåsen-Badelunda, Sweden

    Labyrinten vid Tibble (The Tibble Labyrinth)

    This 2,000-year-old stone maze is one of the oldest in the country, but its purpose is still a mystery.

  • Sö 90 Runestone

    Eskilstuna, Sweden

    Sö 90 Runestone

    This runestone once destroyed by an explosion has been painstakingly reassembled to save its history.

  • Västerås historiska skeppsmuseum

    Västerås SO, Sweden

    Västerås Historiska Skeppsmuseum (Västerås Historical Ship Museum)

    This museum of Viking vessels allows visitors to take a replica out for a spin.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.