The History of Marazion

Marazion is distinctive by name and by nature. While St. Michael's Mount may hold centre stage, the town holds a much broader appeal for the visitor because of its great antiquity, its variety, and its range of excellent services.

It is one of the oldest chartered towns in Cornwall. The first charter of incorporation was granted by Henry III in 1257 and was reaffirmed on 13th June 1595 by Queen Elizabeth.

It was the major town in this part of Cornwall until the late medieval period when it was challenged for commercial supremacy by an upstart Penzance.

Its modern name derives from the important fairs and markets that were held here, the earliest recorded being in 1070. Marazion had two significant markets - Marghas Byghan (Small Market) and Marghas Yow or Jew (Thursday Market). Time has blurred the pronunciations to Marazion.

Marazion has always attracted visitors, many of whom came as pilgrims to the Benedictine Monastery on St. Michael's Mount and who stayed in the town until the causeway was revealed by the ebbing tide. Men of commerce conducted their business here because, until more recent times, the main trunk road from London terminated here with minor roads leading on to Penzance and Helston. In 1660 the packet post delivered to the town twice a week after leaving Truro via Penryn. The town even had its own sorting office until 1986.

With the development of the railway in Victorian and Edwardian times, people sought the mild climate and sea bathing as a respite from city life. Artists and walkers, two very fashionable pursuits at the time, came for the clear light and beautiful scenery.

Fishing was an industry that provided an income for locals and although Marazion did not have a harbour the one on St. Michael's Mount was used to land the catches.

George Blewitt, a wealthy merchant, improved the island harbour during the 18th century and so enhanced an already booming industry, making the town an even greater centre of commerce.

For centuries, mined ores were exported from both Marazion and St. Michael's Mount by traders and shippers. The town was surrounded with many mines, some having such enigmatic names as Wheal Prosper, Wheal Crab, Wheal Rodney, Tolvadden and South Neptune. These and other mines in the area remained active until the depression in the tin and copper industries in the late 1800s. However, many of the mine names are still preserved in some form or other today.

Because of the mild climate, an important industry in the area is agriculture. Crops such as potato and broccoli can be harvested early in the season. Bulbs are another major part of the local economy and flowers add to the beauty of our stone hedged fields.

Today, of course, we have another significant industry, tourism. All year round we welcome visitors from all over the world who come to enjoy our climate, our beaches and our spectacular scenery.

Marazion is a town to browse through and explore at leisure.

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