European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 19, 2007, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Thursday april 19 2007 stars and stripes Page 25 swept away by lore legend has it that England Tintagel Castle was Birthplace of King Arthur by Daniel Lovering the associated press storms and gusting winds have chiselled away at this Corner of southwestern England for centuries but the legends that inhabit the area still loom Large the Rocky Headland near the Village of Tintagel has become so entwined with the legend of King Arthur that its True history seems almost incidental despite a collection of rough Stone foundations and listing Walls that hint at its Rich past according to various poems stories and popular myths it was Here at the fortress of a Cornish Duke that King Arthur was conceived later versions of the Story say Arthur was born at the site and May have lived Here for a time theres no question a medi Eval Castle was built at Tintagel by Richard Earl of Cornwall a younger brother of King Henry i tantalizing remnants of that Structure crumbling Stone barriers and doorways Are still visible but regardless of its history Tintagel offers remarkable glimpses of sheer Cliffs that stand tall above the sea the massive outcropping is almost an is land connected to land Only by a narrow and deeply eroded passage for travellers willing to hike dirt paths and climb Long flights of wooden stairs that curl up the Cliffs the visual delights Are Many those who make the trip to Tintagel can wander the crags and dizzying Cliff tops stalk the ghost of King Arthur and soak up the Salty air and scenery for its own Sake you can also tour what is believed to be the inner court Yard of Richards Castle and peer Down at a Sandy Inlet where ships once were loaded with cargo Robert Tremain a site supervisor for the preservation group English heritage which manages the site explained that a mix Ture of Lime and Sand was occasionally applied to the Walls of the ruins to protect them you can Tell the Way the weather has been beating at Robert Tremain site supervisor at Tintagel Castle chats with a tourist the Rocky Headland near the Village of Tintagel has become so entwined with the legend of King Arthur that its True history seems almost incidental act photos this he said pointing to pitted areas amid the slabs of slate the elements Are always there if s the natural erosion from the sea and the storms Richard May have built the Castle at the site because of the arthurian legend already Well known by the time he began erecting the Structure in the 13th Century he said he wanted some of that glory to rub off on him Tremain said the Story behind the legend of King Arthur was introduced by Geoffrey of Monni Outh a writer whose history of the Kings of Britain was among the most popular books of the Middle Ages though it was largely fictitious it de scribes a fortress at Tintagel belonging to a Cornish Duke named go Lois whose wife attracted the attention of a King Uther Pendragon the King summoned a sorcerer Merlin to magically give him go Lois appearance so he could enter the Castle in return Merlin asked that Uther father a child Arthur to be raised by Merlin until the child fulfilled his destiny of becoming King by the time Richard built his Castle the Story had been elaborated upon portraying Tintagel As the place where Arthur was born and perhaps lived Raf ram bldg go getting there Tintagel is about 215 Miles South West of London along the Northern coast of Cornwall and is accessible by car and bus Cost the Entrance fee for the Castle is for adults and s435 for Chil Dren Between 5 and 15 children under 5 get in free information go to  erty316 or phone 0 1840770328 the associated press stars and stripes Tintagel has also surfaced in versions of the famous love Story of tristan and Isolde a cent Riesold telling of the tale identifies the site As the court of King Mark tristan Uncle but tangible evidence of tin bagels varied past abounds artefacts unearthed in the area suggest it was an outpost on the fringes of the roman Empire at one time pieces of wine jars and other luxury wares from Spain North Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean could mean a King or Prince frequented Tinta gel a Wall built from dirt Rock and Timber indicates it May have been a stronghold in the dark Ages in the 18th and 19th centuries the area became famous for its slate quarries which employed local men the path at the top of the Headland winds past ruins of for travellers willing to hike dirt paths and climb Long flights of wooden stairs that curl up the Cliffs the visual delights of Tintagel Castle Are Many houses built in the dark Ages and reaches a Field of Tawny grass enclosed by a Low Stone Wall an area thought to have been a medieval Garden other historical features in clude a Well a naturally ventilated Tunnel and a Small Chapel looking across from the South Ern Cliffs there is a huge chasm at the coastline pounded by Frothy Waves buildings stand on the horizon in the nearby Village of Tintagel where pubs and guest houses line narrow streets generations of visitors including writers such As Dickens and Tennyson have travelled to Tinta gel to see the place reputed to be a Cornerstone of the arthurian legend for today visitors its natural splendor May be just As rewarding