St David's Cathedral
St Davids Cathedral
St Davids Cathedral, located in the tiny city of St David's in Pembrokeshire, is a truly remarkable and ancient place of worship, often considered the most important ecclesiastical building in Wales as well as being one of the most beautiful.
Here are some photos of this breathtaking cathedral.
History and Pilgrimage
The cathedral's history is deeply intertwined with St David (Dewi Sant), the patron saint of Wales. It is built on the site of a 6th-century monastery founded by St David himself, who is also buried there. In the 12th century, Pope Calixtus II declared that two pilgrimages to St Davids were equivalent to one to Rome, and three to Jerusalem, making it a major pilgrimage destination in medieval Christendom.
The current building was begun in 1181 by a Norman bishop, Peter de Leia. It has endured numerous challenges, including the collapse of its tower and an earthquake in the 13th century, which has left the floor noticeably sloping and the columns leaning. The building has been extensively restored and rebuilt over the centuries, with a significant restoration in the 19th century by Sir George Gilbert Scott.
Architecture and Notable Features
The cathedral's architecture is a blend of Norman and later Gothic styles. Its most striking features include:
The Sloping Nave: Due to the unstable ground and historical damage, the nave floor and pillars visibly lean, creating a unique and disorienting effect.
The Nave Ceiling: This is one of the most celebrated features of the cathedral. The intricate, carved wooden ceiling, made of Welsh oak, dates from the 16th century and features ornate pendants.
The Shrine of St David: The medieval shrine, which was destroyed during the Reformation, has been partially restored and rededicated. It contains the relics of St David and St Justinian.
Tombs and Effigies: The cathedral is the final resting place of several important figures in Welsh history, including Gerald of Wales and Edmund Tudor, the father of King Henry VII.
The Walled Close: The cathedral is situated in a hollow, protected by a large, ancient wall known as "The Close," a feature unique to St Davids in Wales. The wall and its gatehouse, the only one to survive, served to separate the sacred precinct from the secular city.
