The stunning underground world is covered in over 4 million seashells, but no one knows where it came from.
The grotto of Linderhof Castle You know how there's always one room at a party where the action is really going down? The Greeks and Romans saw grottos as a place for sensual, Dionysian desires to unfold; the stage of Venus, goddess of love. In contrast, these mystical chambers also became shrine
Under the sea!
Finally got around to visiting these gardens. As they are on my doorstep it was about time. I have to say they surpassed my expectation. Very impressive and, in parts, quite beautiful almost magical. Recommended
Golden masks, an oculus and loads of lava – Jacques Garcia’s grotto, 12 years in the building, is a mini-Pantheon in the interior designer’s Norman empire
Margate Shell Grotto is a mysterious serpentine cavern that is covered in millions of seashells. Discovered completely by chance, no one knows what this extravagant shell collection means or why this place was built at
Shell Grotto, Hampton Court House, The Green, East Molesey, KT8 9BS. Photo taken during Open House London weekend.
The grotto of Linderhof Castle You know how there's always one room at a party where the action is really going down? The Greeks and Romans saw grottos as a place for sensual, Dionysian desires to unfold; the stage of Venus, goddess of love. In contrast, these mystical chambers also became shrine
Experience the beauty of the Bruce.
I am a Canadian photographer Taylor Moore. I have captured the magic and mystery of the legendary 'Quinta da Regaleira' located in the UNESCO village of Sintra, Portugal.
Grotto replete with mystical designs laid out in glued shell mosaics.
Finally got around to visiting these gardens. As they are on my doorstep it was about time. I have to say they surpassed my expectation. Very impressive and, in parts, quite beautiful almost magical. Recommended
The client was passionate for plants and shells. The grotto space was mocked up in wood first, and then built into the new home. I was asked to create a small shell grottoe in a summer house bungalow.
The grotto of Linderhof Castle You know how there's always one room at a party where the action is really going down? The Greeks and Romans saw grottos as a place for sensual, Dionysian desires to unfold; the stage of Venus, goddess of love. In contrast, these mystical chambers also became shrine
Shell work grotto made by Lisa Rauter Ohiofolk.com
There’s something very appealing and quite fascinating about a shell grotto (at least for me!) These follies were a popular feature of British country house in the 17th and 18th centuries. It…
Discover Venetian splendor in a tropical setting at this 1916 Miami estate that continues to dazzle with its art, architecture, and landscape design.
Using shells combed from British beaches and a mix of stone, gardener Charlie Day has created a magical escape for guests to discover.
From boat tours and Blue Grotto to Arco Naturale and Piazzetta, discover the top things to do in Capri, Italy and make the most of your visit!
This sparkling 18th century crystal grotto in Cobham, Surrey, is very much a reality - and has today been unveiled after a one-year restoration project.
Using shells combed from British beaches and a mix of stone, gardener Charlie Day has created a magical escape for guests to discover.
The client was passionate for plants and shells. The grotto space was mocked up in wood first, and then built into the new home. I was asked to create a small shell grottoe in a summer house bungalow.
If your visiting Lisbon, schedule a day to head to the palaces at Sintra. Visit Quinta da Regaleira, Palácio Nacional da Pena, Castelo dos Mouros and more.
Explore dansette's 11422 photos on Flickr!
So many questions, literally no answers.
Thanks to my neighbor David, I just got my mitts on the June 2004 issue of World of Interiors. In the issue, there is an article on the Shell Grotto in Margate, England. The underground grotto's origins remain a mystery. There are some who believe its roots lie in ancient times; in fact, there are shell symbols and patterns on the walls that resemble those used by ancient Hindu, Egyptian, and Zoroastrian civilizations. Others, however, wonder if the shell grotto was a folly created during the Regency era. This debate will continue as carbon dating isn't an option. During the 19th century, the grotto was lit by gas lanterns, thus rendering carbon dating impossible. And by the way, the grotto was discovered in the 1830s by two school children who fell into the grotto while playing in their garden. The grotto is really quite stunning as almost every surface is decorated with shells- 4.6 million shells, to be exact. Surely this is an estimate; who in the world would and could count all of those shells? An even bigger question for me, though, is how long it took to craft this marvel? Inquiring minds want to know. This lancet arch leads to the altar chamber. The altar chamber. Designs on the altar chamber's walls include the Shield of Dionysus and the Tree of Life. In this passageway, the designs resemble the lyre of Apollo on top of a flower motif. Twin passageways lead to a rotunda. The rotunda. A "sacred ogee" in one of the passageways. In the entry passageway, you see a three-pointed star, believed to represent a Vishnu turtle. Etchings on a piece of slate. All photos from World of Interiors, June 2004; Bill Batten photographer.
The grotto of Linderhof Castle You know how there's always one room at a party where the action is really going down? The Greeks and Romans saw grottos as a place for sensual, Dionysian desires to unfold; the stage of Venus, goddess of love. In contrast, these mystical chambers also became shrine
Open House weekend 20/9/2009
Explore Capt' Gorgeous' 21378 photos on Flickr!
What a surprise awaits inside. A few of us got to see a neighborhood shell grotto. A shell grotto in the neighborhood is the least o...
The landscaped gardens of Stourhead are often referred to as a living work of art with grand temples, gothic cottages, and magical grottos surrounding a show-stopping lake! Towering over those gardens is the classic Temple
A shell grotto is a type of folly, a grotto decorated with sea shells. The shell grotto was a popular feature of many British country houses in the 17th and 18th centuries. It suited the Baroque and Rococo styles [1] and often represented the mimicry of architectural features from the Italian Renaissance . The idea of a grotto was originally a means to enhance a dank undercroft, or provide an antechamber before a piano nobile, but later it became a garden feature independent of the house, sometimes on the edge of a lake, with water flowing through it.
The Crystal Grotto is a magical, naturalistic cave, with stalactites covered in sparkling crystals, that captivates both children & adults.
Explore this hidden gem in Cullman, AL: Ave Maria Grotto is a magical Alabama rock garden that’s a must-visit.
The grotto of Linderhof Castle You know how there's always one room at a party where the action is really going down? The Greeks and Romans saw grottos as a place for sensual, Dionysian desires to unfold; the stage of Venus, goddess of love. In contrast, these mystical chambers also became shrine
