English
West end, nave south transept, and tower flying the dean’s flag, By Antony McCallum-
Top 10 Facts about St David’s Cathedral, Wales
St David’s Cathedral is located in St David’s City in the country of Pembroke shire which is on the west tip of Wales. It has been a site of pilgrimage and worship for more than 800 years and now it is a splendid building, with a vibrant living church offering a place of peace for prayers and devotion.
Below are more facts about St David’s cathedral that you should know about;
1. St David’s cathedral is named after the patron of the saint of wales, Saint David
Saint David was born in wales near the present city of David at around 520 AD and he was the only native patron saint of a country in the British wales, he died between 598 and 601. His popularity in wales was shown by Armes Prydein of around 930. It is a popular poem that prophesied the future.
David is also said to have played a role in spreading Christianity on the continent inspiring numerous places. Some of the names he used are saint Divvy and saint Yvi. He prayed for his people to have some warning of their death so that they could prepare themselves
2. The cathedral dates to the 12th century
The nave of St. David’s Cathedral, Pembroke shire, By Gastineau, Henry G., 1791-1876Deeble, William, Wikimedia
The present cathedral building date from 1180 to 1220 even though most of the alterations and additions took place in the 12th and 16th centuries. The west front of the cathedral was restored in the 19th century, to create the original Norman front following the unsympathetic rebuilding by Nash, while the roof of the nave date to the 16th century.
It is one of the earliest British cathedrals and the most important medieval building in wales. The cathedral stands at the Centre of a complex of medieval and later structures and buildings that were enclosed by the precinct wall.
3. St David’s was prone to Viking attacks
St David’s cathedral being so close to the sea, was a regular target for the Viking attack since the late 8th century.
The Vikings destroyed several of the older structure, and King Alfred called upon Asser, who was the bishop of St David’s to help him re-establish intellectual life in his kingdom after the Viking trouble in the 9th century.
Many of the bishops were murdered by the raiders. It was therefore used in England’s colonization as both physical and intellectual of the wale.
4. The cathedral has several beautiful chapels
St David’s Cathedral has several beautiful chapels, that are significantly different from each other. The chapels include;
- the Becket Chapel was the 13th-century chapel that was dedicated to St Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury, he was murdered in 1170, and the chapel was remodeled in the 14th century by Bishop Gower.
- Holy Trinity chapel, built-in 1509 by Bishop Vaughan, its altar and reredos were pieced together in 1920 from beautiful medieval fragments that were found during the restoration work.
- Edward the confessor chapel, has a fine carved pink-toned alabaster of the altar, screen, and nearby tomb of the viscountess of Maidstone.
- The lady chapel is the 14th-century chapel, that was built to honor the Virgin, Mary. It was remodeled by Bishop Vaughan in the 1500s, he kept the 14th century stone seats and earlier tombs.
5. The cathedral has fantastic art and architecture
St David’s Cathedral, By Nilfanion –Wikimedia
The St David’s Cathedral is a fantastic place to explore history, spirituality, art, and architecture. The cathedral’s building has changed over time to meet the new needs and styles.
In the southwest nave corner, there are rose windows that have different frames from the different stages of the cathedral’s history.
6. St David’s Cathedral library the only cathedral library in wales
St David’s Cathedral is the only library cathedral library in Situ in Wales. The present collection in the library dates back to the 16th century and the reformation. It has copies of some of the early bibles in Welsh and early bibles in English.
The cathedral library is open to the public for visits from Monday to Friday. Some of the events that the library host include; cathedral at night which is a joint event with other European Cathedral, cathedral treasury, medieval wall painting a joint event with the royal commission of ancient and historic monuments in wales and so many others.
The Cloister area has great facilities for artists in various media. The Refectory and Gallery complement each other very well offering good food and interesting exhibitions in a beautiful setting. Both are open throughout the year.
7. The cathedral hosts exhibitions and various events
St David’s Cathedral, Nilfanion – Wikimedia UK
St David’s Cathedral hosts exhibitions of arts and crafts most severally. They have usually displayed in the North Aisle or Cathedral refectory. The Refectory and Gallery complement each other since the refectory good food and a place for interesting exhibitions. The Cloister area also has great facilities for artists in various media.
The gallery provides a showcase for high-quality arts and crafts. It includes both Pembroke shire artists and those from further afield whose work is inspired by the area or related in spirit.
The cathedral welcomes the visitors and pilgrims at any time apart from when they’re a few exceptions like when the cathedral is shut for a private function.
The cathedral’s tours take place throughout the year whereby some are designed for people who have never visited before and others for people who know the cathedral but still want to learn more about some aspects of the cathedral.
It provides a venue for artistic and creative exhibitions and gives spaces for organizations such as Christian Aid and Amnesty International to raise awareness of their vital work.
St David’s cathedral was declared a place of pilgrimage in the 12th century by Pope Callixtus II. When St David died, his remains were kept at St David’s Cathedral, therefore Christians believed that the closer they got to the saint, the closer they would be to God. It however became a popular place of pilgrimage.
A pilgrimage is a religious journey, It could either be a physical journey to a place of religious importance or a spiritual journey. People go on pilgrimage for various reasons which include;
Tower and south transept. By JohnArmagh – When visiting the cathedral, you will be able to see the Tower Gate House and Bell Tower. It is a 15-foot-high close wall. It was built in the 14tg century when it enclosed the original cathedral city.
The wall is said to have been kept together by four gatehouses and the remaining survivor is the Tower Gate House which was used by the medieval town council.
The Tower Gate House us the Lapidariom, where you can see a display of religious stones, and learn about the history and life in the cathedral through its exhibition.
8. It’s a tourist attraction
9. Its a pilgrimage church
10. You can View the Tower Gate House and Bell Tower of the Cathedral
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