Giant's Causeway, the majestic basalt columns of Northern Ireland

The Giant's Causeway is a stunning rock formation located on the north coast of Northern Ireland, near the village of Bushmills in County Antrim. These are 40,000 basalt columns with regular geometric shapes that are closely joined together and born of a volcanic eruption that occurred over 60 million years ago. The perfect hexagonal symmetry of these pillars, some of which even reach 28 meters in height, are reminiscent of beehive cells. It is a site of natural composition of unparalleled beauty and precision which, despite scientific explanations, is still shrouded in stories and legends full of charm and mystery.



The best-known legend has it that the Giant's Causeway was created by a giant warrior named Finn McCool, who built the huge stone walkway over the sea to get to Scotland and challenge his rival Benandonner. Yet another legend tells the story of a giant who wanted to reach his sweetheart in Scotland instead. Along with Irish mythology explanations, many thought that the pavement was the work of a superior intelligence. In fact, at the beginning of the eighteenth century, Bernard Fontanelle, French writer and member of the "Académie des sciences", one of the most famous scientific societies in the world, hypothesized that it was a divine work. The site was officially discovered by the Bishop of Derry in 1693 and its real origin was only established in 1771.



The Giant's Causeway became part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986, and is now one of the most visited tourist destinations in Ireland and throughout Europe. It can be reached by car, along the Causeway Coastal Route, the spectacular coastal road that connects dynamic Belfast to historic Londonderry. Admission is free, but given the power of the sea waves that can come as a surprise, it is necessary to follow the indicated itinerary. It is important to be especially careful to preserve nature as it is a protected area for many species of seabirds, including a variety of rare plants that grow between the crevices of the columns.

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