Cathedrals in Wales

This section of our Guide to Wales is of neccessity a short one; there are only 4 medieval cathedrals in Wales, and of the 4, one occupies an undisputable pre-eminent status; St. David's, with its links to David, patron saint of Wales, is the Welsh "Westminster Abbey".

See also: Churches in Wales Gazetteer

 

Bangor, Gwynedd Bangor Cathedral Bangor was founded in 525, only the second cathedral in Britain. Nothing remains of that early structure. And the 12th century Norman church here was destroyed by Edward I during his conquest of Wales. Bishop Anian began rebuilding in 1291, but again little remains of his work, for it was burned again during Owain Glendower's rebellion in 1404. The nave and tower are early Tudor. Tombs of 13th century Welsh princes reside in the south transept. Bangor, Gwynedd, Wales Location: off A4087 OS map reference: SH581 721 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Brecon, Powys Brecon Cathedral A visitor's centre tells the story of the 13th and 14th century cathedral, once part of a Benedictine priory. Much restoration has taken place. The carved Norman font is the largest in Wales and has a stone cresset with 30 cups. The choir vaulting is notable. Brecon, Powys, Wales Location: on A470 OS map reference: SO044 290 Photo: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Llandaff, Glamorgan Llandaff Cathedral Founded by Bishop Urban in 1107, but most of the choir, nave, and west front date from the following century. In 1500 the north west tower was built by Jasper Tudor, uncle to Henry VII. Much later work is the result of restorations in Victorian times. The interior of the church is dominated, perhaps overwhelmed, by a huge modern bridge bearing Christ aloft, the work of Sir Jacob Epstein. Cathedral Close, High Street, Cardiff, Llandaff, Glamorgan, Wales Location: off A4119 OS map reference: ST156 779 Photo: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

St Asaph, Clwyd St Asaph Cathedral The Norman church here was burned during Edward I's Welsh campaign, as at Bangor. The money to rebuild the church was cleverly raised by Bishop Anian II, who sent a well-known manuscript of the Gospels on tour through Hereford, Lichfield, and Wales to solicit donations. The church was burned again in 1402 by Owain Glendower. William Morgan, bishop from 1601-04, translated the Bible into Welsh for the first time. He is buried in the cathedral. St Asaph, Clwyd, Wales Location: on A525 (High Street) OS map reference: SJ038 743 Photo: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

St Davids, Dyfed Location map St David's Cathedral St. David, patron saint of Wales, founded a 6th century monastery here and trained missionaries to spread Christianity to Ireland. The present cathedral was built under the Norman bishop Peter de Leia in 1180. The shrine to St. David was a popular pilgrimage site in the Middle Ages; two trips here were worth one trip to Rome! A holy site it may have been, but a stable one it was not. The ground was swampy and if you look at the piers in the nave you will see that they lean out and to the side. St. David's draws much from Romanesque traditions; the arches are rounded and heavy. The nave is finished with a rich, coffered ceiling of painted oak. Before the high altar is the tomb of Henry VIII's grandfather, Edmund Tudor, and to the left is St. David's shrine. In the presbytery is a coffin said to contain the bones of St. David and St. Justinian. Of note throughout is the delicate purple sandstone, quarried locally, which gives St. David's a unique character. St Davids, Dyfed, Wales, SA62 6QW Location: off A487 Phone: 01437 720691 Fax: 01437 721885 OS map reference: SM751 253 Photo: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

 

See also: Churches in Wales Gazetteer