Medusa Gorgon is not to blame: a unique source that turns everything into stone (5 photos)

There is a teddy bear, a bicycle and even socks: all of this has been turned to stone.





In the British town of Knaresborough, which stands on the banks of the River Nidd, there is a completely unique attraction: Mother Shipton's Cave, in which everything turns to stone. A waterfall runs along its walls, and for many centuries it was considered magical. The fact is that under the influence of local water, a piece of fabric, a hat and any other things become stone.

Who is Mother Shipton?

Mother Shipton was a famous soothsayer, whom Henry VIII even mentioned in his letters. She was born right in the cave in 1488, lived here for the first years of her life, and then returned here in old age. She predicted many things, first to her neighbors, then people began to come to her from other cities. The soothsayer foresaw the Great Fire of London, which happened a century after her death.



While Shipton was still alive, the residents of Knaresborough discovered that the water in the cave where she was born had healing properties. Scientists of that time studied the waterfall and even compiled a list of ailments that the source could cure. However, since the 17th century, records about this cave have changed: supposedly everything that falls into the waterfall turns into stone.

First paid attraction

Soon legends appeared about the properties of the waterfall. Local residents began to say that even a drop falling on the body would certainly turn a person to stone. In addition, the outline of a skull was spotted in the rocks in which the cave is located. Of course, it was considered a bad omen.





However, curiosity grew stronger, and people began to come from neighboring towns to look at the cave. Enterprising residents began to charge money for entry, and as a result, Mother Shipton's Cave became one of the oldest paid attractions in Great Britain. Since 1630, visitors have paid to walk to the spring.



In the cave you can see amazing objects that were placed here at different times: for example, a man's top hat and a hat from the 19th century. In the 20th century, even more things appeared here: teapots, teddy bears and even a bicycle. All these things were placed in the source for several months, and then taken out petrified.