St Davids: Cathedral
Looking back down towards St Davids Cathedral, in the city of St Davids (Pembrokeshire, in southwesternmost Wales), on a morning in late October 2024.
The cathedral, known in Welsh as Eglwys Gadeiriol Tyddewi, is located on the site of a monastic community established during the 6th century by Dewi Sant – the Welsh name of St David – who became the patron saint of Wales. Unlike many such churches, instead of being on a prominent height, it is tucked into a hollow, which would have made it less visible from the nearby sea, providing some (although not sufficient) protection from Viking raids and other piracy during the early medieval period. The local stone is a characteristic grey with pink-to-purple tints.
Bishop Peter de Leia began the construction of the current building in 1181, during the reign of Henry II. By then, the place had official papal privilege as an important pilgrimage destination. Repairs, redesign, and expansion continued through 1540, but pillaging and destruction resulted from periods of the Dissolution of the Monasteries and the (so-called “English”) Civil War. Noted church architect George Gilbert Scott (1811-1878) restored most of the building, including a redesigned tower; the building and its decorations thus incorporate Victorian elements. St Davids continues to be active as an Anglican cathedral as well as a historic site welcoming visitors.
The cathedral city of St Davids (also spelled St David’s, based on the Welsh Tyddewi, or House of David) has the official status of a city, the UK’s smallest city by population and urban area, even though its size corresponds to that of many a large village. In addition to the cathedral and other listed historic structures, the Oriel y Parc Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Visitor Centre is located in St Davids. Some of the Park’s varied landscapes are visible in the background.
(Historical information from panels in the cathedral church as well as the official website of St Davids Cathedral and Wikipedia, both last consulted 24 December 2024).
[St David's 67 cathedral from above 2024-10-23 o; PA232052]
St Davids: Cathedral
Looking back down towards St Davids Cathedral, in the city of St Davids (Pembrokeshire, in southwesternmost Wales), on a morning in late October 2024.
The cathedral, known in Welsh as Eglwys Gadeiriol Tyddewi, is located on the site of a monastic community established during the 6th century by Dewi Sant – the Welsh name of St David – who became the patron saint of Wales. Unlike many such churches, instead of being on a prominent height, it is tucked into a hollow, which would have made it less visible from the nearby sea, providing some (although not sufficient) protection from Viking raids and other piracy during the early medieval period. The local stone is a characteristic grey with pink-to-purple tints.
Bishop Peter de Leia began the construction of the current building in 1181, during the reign of Henry II. By then, the place had official papal privilege as an important pilgrimage destination. Repairs, redesign, and expansion continued through 1540, but pillaging and destruction resulted from periods of the Dissolution of the Monasteries and the (so-called “English”) Civil War. Noted church architect George Gilbert Scott (1811-1878) restored most of the building, including a redesigned tower; the building and its decorations thus incorporate Victorian elements. St Davids continues to be active as an Anglican cathedral as well as a historic site welcoming visitors.
The cathedral city of St Davids (also spelled St David’s, based on the Welsh Tyddewi, or House of David) has the official status of a city, the UK’s smallest city by population and urban area, even though its size corresponds to that of many a large village. In addition to the cathedral and other listed historic structures, the Oriel y Parc Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Visitor Centre is located in St Davids. Some of the Park’s varied landscapes are visible in the background.
(Historical information from panels in the cathedral church as well as the official website of St Davids Cathedral and Wikipedia, both last consulted 24 December 2024).
[St David's 67 cathedral from above 2024-10-23 o; PA232052]