Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland: Tourists destroy UNESCO natural wonder with coins
In Northern Ireland , there's the so-called Giant's Causeway. Translated, it means "Giant's Causeway." It's a gigantic rock formation that's stood there for around 60 million years. And now it's threatening to collapse. This is because tourists insist on putting coins in and between the stones.
A report by the British Geological Survey concluded that the coins wedged in the joints and cracks in the rock were causing "both aesthetic and physical damage" to the basalt rock of the Giant's Causeway.
According to legend, the causeway was created by the giant Finn McCool and is one of Antrim's most popular landmarks.
Source: IMAGO/SOPA Images
The basalt rock of the UNESCO World Heritage Site is said to have been formed by a lava eruption on the north coast of Northern Ireland around 60 million years ago. Today, around 40,000 so-called basalt columns stand at the site in County Antrim. Most of them are hexagonal.
Now, heritage conservationists are taking action. According to experts from the National Trust, the many coins are not only discoloring the monument because they rust. The coins also expand over time, potentially causing the rocks to crack. The National Trust is now urging all visitors to the Giant's Causeway to stop the coin ritual.
Why do coins discolor the stone? It's a chemical reaction. Iron, nickel, and copper are leached out. They dissolve from the coin and slowly spread throughout the rock.
The Giant's Causeway is Northern Ireland's first UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Source: IMAGO/SOPA Images
Coins rust particularly quickly on the seashore. This causes the stones to acquire a brownish-rusty color over time. Furthermore, the coins expand to more than three times their original volume. Thus, especially in their sheer number, they exert enormous pressure on the cracks in the stone.
So what can be done to ensure the continued existence of the natural monument? It is now costing the National Trust around £30,000 (around €36,000) to remove the coins. A specialized stonemason has reportedly been able to extract coins from the stone at ten different "test sites."
In addition, information signs will be placed at the world-famous site in the future. They are intended to make visitors aware of the damage their actions are causing. Instead, people should protect and care for this special place "so that people and nature can thrive."
Where does the coin ritual actually come from? We usually associate it with water. As soon as there's a fountain somewhere that attracts tourist attention, coins fly into it. Regardless of whether there are fish swimming in it or not.
The most famous example is probably the Trevi Fountain in Rome . There, you're supposed to toss a coin over your left shoulder to ensure you return to Rome. Coins are thrown into the water elsewhere as well. Many of the coin tossers hope to have their wishes granted.
The idea behind it: If you give something to the water—or the powers residing within it—you will have one wish granted in return. Even in ancient times, people gave small, precious gifts to the gods and spirits in springs and wells to appease them.
Let's hope that the "ghosts" of the Giant's Causeway can also be appeased if the coins are removed.
What do travelers need to know right now? You can find all the important vacation news at reisereporter , and the latest travel offers on our deals page .
travel reporter
reisereporter
