The vast majority of monastic establishments in Wales
belonged to the Cistercian order. This was partly due to the encouragement
of the Norman invaders of Wales, who saw in the French-based order a
means of lessening the influence of Welsh Celtic Christianity. The Cistercians
generally opted for a life of simplicity and hard work in remote and
inaccessible areas, though this did not stop them from building very
profitable monastic houses and owning vast tracts of territory.
A Cistercian house founded in 1189 as a daughter house of Strata Florida. The house was moved from its first site near Caernarfon to its second position on land granted by Llewelyn ap Iorwerth near Conwy. When Edward I built Conwy Castle he had the monks moved again, to Maenan, leaving only part of a church behind, which is now part of the parish church of Conwy. That final monastery at Maenan was dismantled in 1537 following the Dissolution, and the stones were used for other buildings.
St Marys Parish Church,
Rose Hill St Conwy,
Gwynedd,
Wales,
LL32 8LD
Originally a Savignac house founded in 1131 under the patronage of Ranulf, Earl of Chester. In 1147 the house became a Cistercian establishment. In 1240 Dafydd ap Llyweyln gave the monks the church and shrine of St. Winifrid at Holywell. At one time Basingwerk was a prosperous house, with lands in England and grazing land for over 2,000 sheep, but by the time of the Dissolution only 6 monks remained. The oldest church at Basingwerk dates from the early 13th century.
Holywell,
Clwyd,
Wales
A Dominican Friary founded circa 1250. The domestic buildings are gone. After the dissolution of the monasteries in 1541, the church was used as a chapel by Christ College, which occupied the site and other buildings of the friary. (In 1855 it became a public secondary school). The chapel was partially restored in the 19th century, but the choir is 13th century with shafted lancets, and a 14th century arcade still stands. Two halls have 15th century timber roofs.
Brecon,
Powys,
Wales,
LD3 8AF
Ruins of 12th century reformed Benedictine priory. Domestic buildings were later used as farm buildings. The small (76 feet long, 47-foot high tower) old church is open. Present day Benedictine monastery is also on the island, but closed to visitors. A video on the abbey is available for viewing.
Caldey Island,
Tenby,
Dyfed,
Wales,
SA70 7UJ
The Benedictine priory was founded following the building of the castle in 1068. The five western bays survived to become a parish church that was added to in 1841. A Norman nave with simple arcades and the late Norman west front survive. A fine decorated doorway is not to be missed.
Priory Church of St Mary,
Chepstow,
Gwent,
Wales
At one time in its proud past this Cistercian abbey was the largest in Wales and boasted one of the largest naves in all Britain at 242 feet (bested only by York, Durham, and Winchester cathedrals). The abbey is the reputed last resting place of Llewelyn ap Gruffydd, who was killed at nearby Climery in 1282.
Cymer is a small abbey founded in 1198 by Maredudd ap Cynan, Meirionydd, for a group of Cistercian monks from Abbey Cwmhir, near Rhyader. The site chosen was an area of level ground at the junction of the rivers Mawddach and Wnion, indeed the full name 'Kymer deu dyfyr' translates roughly as 'at the meeting of the waters'. Cymer Abbey never gained any great wealth or influence.
Llanelltyd,
Dolgellau,
Gwynedd,
Wales
A Carmelite house (the only one in Wales) established in 1289. The 13th century church is all that remains. For much of the 19th century the church was used as a malthouse.
Rhyl Road,
Denbigh,
Clwyd,
Wales
A restored Priory church with a Saxon font. The church's website provides many details; there is much of interest to be seen here.
Ewenny,
Bridgend,
Glamorgan,
Wales
An Augustinian house established in the late 12th century on the banks of the Cleddau river just outside the town walls of Haverfordwest. Parts of the church, cloister, and chapter house can still be seen.
Haverfordwest,
Dyfed,
Wales
A Cistercian house founded in 1179 as a daughter house of Strata Florida. The remains of that abbey are incorporated into the present buildings housing the Sisters of Saint Joseph. The fine barn, boasting 11 bays, is one of the finest medieval remnants.
Llantarnam,
Cwmbran,
Gwent,
Wales,
NP44 3YJ
A chapel dedicated to St. David (who else, this being Wales?) was established here in the 6th century. The chapel ruins were discovered by William de Lacy, a 12th century Norman knight, who decided to renounce the world and build a new hermitage. The hermitage later became the priory we see today. Now in ruins except for the surviving early English arches and superb stonework decorations.
Llanthony,
Abergavenny,
Gwent,
Wales
Founded in 1130 by Sauvignac monks, who later merged with the Cistercians. Once called "the fairest abbey in all Wales", Neath is especially notable for its collection of earthenware floor tiles (some of which now grace the National Museum of Wales). Look for the tiles depicting the famous single combat between Richard the Lionheart and Saladin.
Neath,
Glamorgan,
Wales
There are actually four associated historic sites in the same location at Penmon, clustered around the ruins of a priory founded in the 6th century by Welsh saints Cynlas and Seiriol. This peaceful place boasts extensive ruins of a 12th century Augustinian priory, in addition to an ancient holy well, a restored 16th century dovecot, and Penmon church, which houses a superb 10th century carved cross. Nearby is Puffin Island, site of another monastery begun by Seiriol, and supposed site of his burial.
Penmon,
Isle of Anglesey,
Gwynedd,
Wales
Attractive hillside remains of a 12th century Benedictine abbey. The site was originally a rare Tironian house, established in 1115, but even before then it was used as a "clas", or Celtic church. The monks owned the Isle of Caldey, which became a popular pilgrimage centre in the Middle Ages. The nave of the church dates from the 13th century, and the remains of the crypt and chapter house from the 14th.
Cardigan,
Dyfed,
Wales
One of the most important historic abbeys in Britain, Strata Florida (its name means "the way of the flowers") was founded in the 12th century by Cistercian monks. It became celebrated as the "Westminster Abbey of Wales", and the monks are credited with introducing many new agricultural methods. Numerous native Welsh princes are said to be buried here. A terrific Romanesque arch and floor tiles give some hint as to the former glory of Strata Florida.
Ystrad Meurig,
Pontrhydfendigaid,
Dyfed,
Wales,
SY25 6BT
A Premonstratensian house founded by Rhys ap Grufudd in 1184. The nave of the church was never finished, perhaps due to lack of funds, and the church was ceded to the crown in 1381. The old presbytery was used for the parish church until late in the 18th century.
Talley,
Dyfed,
Wales
The very first Cistercian house in Wales, founded around 1131. Tintern is superbly situated in a valley bounded by hills which are resplendant in bluebells and other wildflowers in the spring. The monks once held land on both banks of the Wye (that is, in both Wales and England).
The original church dates to 1150, though it was rebuilt in grand fashion in the late 13th century. In contrast to normal Cistercian simplicity of design, Tintern was decorated with intricate floor tiles and painted glass. At the time of the Dissolution, Tintern was the richest monastic establishment in all of Wales.
Tintern,
Chepstow,
Gwent,
Wales,
NP6 6SE
Small Benedictine nunnery. The shrine of St Radegund was a place of pilgrimage. The Norman central tower remains, and below it is the chancel of the parish church. The nave and north aisle are 14th century, and there is a 15th century traceried screen and porches. Only the gatehouse remains of the domestic buildings.
Usk,
Gwent,
Wales
The original site chosen for Valle Crucis had one small problem; there was a village in the way. The entire population of the village of Llanegwerth was moved, though only some villagers received compensation for the loss of their homes. The 13th century carved doorway on the west front is superb, as is the chapter house, with its ribbed vaulting.
The first Cistercian house of Whitland was founded in 1140 near Carmarthen, though in 1151 the monastery moved to its present location. There are very few remains to be seen, and the legacy of Whitland must be that it helped establish so many other monastic houses throughout Wales.
Whitland,
Dyfed,
Wales
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