Sacred grove - Definition and Overview

Sacred groves were a feature of the mythological landscape and the cult practice of Old Europe, of the most ancient levels of Scandinavian mythology, Greek mythology, Slavic mythology, in Rome and among Druidic practice.

Northern Europe

The most famous sacred grove of Northern Europe was at the Temple at Uppsala in Old Uppsala, which was described by Adam of Bremen. Compare the nemeton of Celtic mythology.

Southern Europe

The most famous sacred grove in mainland Greece was the oak grove at Dodona. Outside the walls of Athens, the site of the Academy was a sacred grove of olive trees, still recalled in the phrase "the groves of Academe."

A sacred grove behind the House of the Vestal Virgins on the edge of the roman forum lingered until its last vestiges were burnt in the Great Fire of Rome in 64 CE.

External link

• M. D. Subash Chandran Madhav Gadgil, "Sacred Groves and Sacred Trees of Uttara Kannada" (http://www.ignca.nic.in/cd_08008.htm)