Did Jesus Walk These Shores? The Enigmatic Tale of Looe Island

Looe Island, nestled off Cornwall’s rugged coast, carries a beguiling legend that Jesus Christ visited as a young boy.

According to local lore, Jesus accompanied his uncle, Joseph of Arimathea, on a tin trading expedition to this remote island.

The legend ties Looe Island to Ictis, a renowned tin trading hub mentioned by ancient historian Diodorus Siculus in his work, Bibliotheca Historica.

While the story remains unverified, historical records indicate that Phoenician traders conducted tin trade in Cornwall.

This connection has fueled speculation and kept the legend alive, captivating the imaginations of locals and visitors alike.

The spread of this tale transformed Looe Island into a prominent pilgrimage destination in medieval times.

However, its sanctity was short-lived. The island’s sacred status was dismantled during Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries.

Looe Island shed its holy aura post-dissolution, becoming notorious as a hotspot for smuggling activities.

It was renamed St. George’s Island in this period, attracting a different kind of visitor.

The island’s ownership history is as colorful as its legends. In 1743, it was owned by the Trewlaney family, and later, in 1912, by Henry St. John Dix.

Eventually, it passed to sisters Evelyn and Roselyn, remaining in their care until Roselyn died in 2004.

Today, Looe Island remains a place of mystery and intrigue, drawing those curious about its storied past and its mythical connection to one of history’s most revered figures.