Zennor and Mermaids

Ohhhh!! gorgeous little villages with their local myths, based on truths lost in time. Zennor is a perfect example of this. The village is easily missed if you are on the road to St Just. A goat track hidden in the grass going straight down toward the sea is all the warning you have that there might be something there. I'd read a little about it, so knew what I was looking for. We went straight to the church, which had been built around the 1000s. Solid and a very different feeling than many of the other churches we have visited this week. A very old feeling - beyond Christianity. St Sarara founded a church in the area 1400 years ago. She came from the sea ( probably came in a boat.. but don't spoil a good story) and impressed the cornish people so much they converted to Christianity.

Mermaids have a very strong link to this part of the coast and there are alot of stories of sightings.

The local story goes that a local lad sang beautifully in the church every week. His voice carried down into the cove and entranced a mermaid. Gradually, every week, she ventured closer until finally she managed to slither her way to the church ( not quite sure how.. but lets not get in the way of a story). She covered her tail with a long dress and "it came to pass' that the two fell in love.  She revealed that she was a mermaid and invited him back into her domain. He was so in love with her that he followed her into the sea and was never seen again.

In the church there is a chair with carved ends of a mermaid. It is interesting to note all the symbology of a mermaid as being included into the medieval church teachings and was often included in the mystery plays they performed to introduce the bible stories to locals. The maid coming from the sea symbolised the two natures of Christ. It was explained that she was both human and fish - just as Christ was seen as both human and as God. She often carries a mirror and comb - which are reminders of vanity for womenkind.(hmmm)

The church also boasts bell ringing - it was so tempting to go and pull on the long cords.. but don't fear.. I didn't!  Beautiful stained glass windows and carved wooden pews.. breathtaking.. again.

We shot across after teh church visit into the Tinners Arms - an extremely old pub, built by the stonemasons who were building the church in the 1000s. The story goes that they built the pub first, before starting on the church.  Once again - its tiny, the low beams making you duck in places.  Super cozy and cute. We chatted with the barmaid Amy for a long while, striking up a friendship I hope continues though facebook.  They have a 'real ale' called the Zennor Mermaid. I wish I liked ale.. and know some people who'd I'd LOVE to havejoined me here.. and would have enjoyed tasting all these boutique ales.