St. Davids and Aberystwyth

Pictures taken in St. Davids and Aberystwyth on our Summer Holiday 2014 tour
St. David's Cathedral The monastic community was founded by Saint David, Abbot of Menevia, who died in 589. Between 645 and 1097, the community was attacked many times by raiders, including the Vikings, however it was of such note as both a religious and intellectual centre that King Alfred summoned help from the monastic community at St Davids in rebuilding the intellectual life of the Kingdom of Wessex. Many of the bishops were murdered by raiders and marauders, including Bishop Moregenau in 999, and Bishop Abraham in 1080. In 1115, with the area under Norman control, King Henry I of England appointed Bishop Bernard as Bishop of St Davids. He began to improve life within the community, and commenced construction of a new Cathedral. In 1123, Pope Calixtus II granted Bishop Bernard’s request to bestow a Papal privilege upon St Davids, making it a centre of pilgrimage for the Western world. The new Cathedral was quickly constructed. Bishop Bernard consecrated the new Cathedral in 1131. Henry II of England’s visit in 1171 saw the following of David increase – and the need for a larger Cathedral. The present Cathedral was begun in 1181, and completed not long after. Problems beset the new building and the community in its infancy; the collapse of the new tower in 1220, and earthquake damage in 1247/48. Bishops Palace as it appears today Under Bishop Gower (1328–1347) the Cathedral was modified further, with the rood screen and the Bishops Palace, intended as permanent reminders of his episcopacy. : 2014, St. Davids, building, cathedral, historia, history, katedraali, kesäloma, matka, rakennus, summer holiday, travel St. David's Cathedral The main isle of the cathedral : 2014, Pembrokeshire, St. Davids, cathedral, katedraali, kesäloma, matka, religion, summer holiday, travel, uskonto St. David's Cathedral Stained glass windows : 2014, Pembrokeshire, St. Davids, cathedral, katedraali, kesäloma, matka, religion, summer holiday, travel, uskonto St. David's Cathedral Stained glass windows : 2014, Pembrokeshire, St. Davids, cathedral, katedraali, kesäloma, matka, religion, summer holiday, travel, uskonto
Henry IV Medieval painting of Henry IV (1366-1413) : 2014, Pembrokeshire, St. Davids, cathedral, katedraali, kesäloma, matka, religion, summer holiday, travel, uskonto St. David's Cathedral Medieval knight wall painting : 2014, Pembrokeshire, St. Davids, cathedral, katedraali, kesäloma, matka, religion, summer holiday, travel, uskonto St. David's Cathedral The stone screen or pulpitum which divdes the nave from the choir. Inside the pulpitum is skeleton vaulting decorated with murals, it is thought that these are remnants of an earlier screen absorbed by the present one. : 2014, Pembrokeshire, St. Davids, cathedral, katedraali, kesäloma, matka, religion, summer holiday, travel, uskonto St. David's Cathedral The tomb of Bishop Henry Gover (1328-1347) : 2014, Pembrokeshire, St. Davids, cathedral, katedraali, kesäloma, matka, religion, summer holiday, travel, uskonto
St. David's Cathedral The Sapphire Stone. As a parting gift in around 515, when setting out on his return to Europe, the Patriarch of Jerusalem presented St. David with a precious altar stone of sapphire adorned with gold and costly gems. This is claimed to be the stone. : 2014, Pembrokeshire, St. Davids, cathedral, katedraali, kesäloma, matka, religion, summer holiday, travel, uskonto St. David's Cathedral The Tomb of Edmund Tudor, First Earl of Richmond (1430-1456). Father of King Henry VII and grandfather of Henry VIII. His tomb was moved to the cathedral after the dissolution and thus may have saved the cathedral. : 2014, Pembrokeshire, St. Davids, cathedral, katedraali, kesäloma, matka, religion, summer holiday, travel, uskonto St. David's Cathedral The High Altar is the centre of the cathedral's worship. The present altar is smaller than the medieval one which may have covered the whole of the top step area. This area underwent major restoration and reconstruction in the 15th and 16th centuries. The encuastic tiles laid within the sanctuary and the painted camber-beam roof are examples of this work. : 2014, St. Davids, building, cathedral, historia, history, katedraali, kesäloma, matka, rakennus, summer holiday, travel St. David's Cathedral Holy Trinity Chapel. Built by Edward Vaughan, Bishop 1509-22, in the perpendicular style complete with fan vaulting. It was constructed in what was originally an open courtyard that had been filled with rubbish. It was transformed into this exquisite chapel in which Bishop Vaughan lies buried. : 2014, Pembrokeshire, St. Davids, cathedral, katedraali, kesäloma, matka, religion, summer holiday, travel, uskonto
St. David's Cathedral Holy Trinity Chapel vaulted ceiling. : 2014, Pembrokeshire, St. Davids, cathedral, katedraali, kesäloma, matka, religion, summer holiday, travel, uskonto St. David's Cathedral The choir stalls were constructed in the late 15th to early 16th century. The surviving medieval floor tiles bear the coats of arms the nobility. Coats of arms are also painted on some of the backs of the stalls and at the end of benches. : 2014, Pembrokeshire, St. Davids, cathedral, katedraali, kesäloma, matka, religion, summer holiday, travel, uskonto St. David's Cathedral The Lady Chapel. Originally constructed at the end of the 13th century, construction was completed by Bishop Martin. The Sedilia and tombs were added by Bishop Gower in the 14th centrury. In the 16th century, Bishop Vaughan remodelled the Lady Chapel giving it a vaulted roof. The roof lead was stripped in the mid 17th century and the vaulted ceiling eventually collapsed in the mid 18th century. : 2014, St. Davids, building, cathedral, historia, history, katedraali, kesäloma, matka, rakennus, summer holiday, travel St. David's Cathedral The Lady Chapel stained glass window. : 2014, Pembrokeshire, St. Davids, cathedral, katedraali, kesäloma, matka, religion, summer holiday, travel, uskonto
St. David's Cathedral Narrow door : 2014, Pembrokeshire, St. Davids, cathedral, katedraali, kesäloma, matka, religion, summer holiday, travel, uskonto St. David's Cathedral St. Thomas Becket's Chapel. Originally built in the early 13th century and completely remodelled by Bishop Gower in the 14th century (the chapel retains its 14th century ceiling and is part of a three storey structure). Above it is the Cathedral Library. The Chapel retains an Early English double piscina from the original chapel of the martyr. : 2014, St. Davids, building, cathedral, historia, history, katedraali, kesäloma, matka, rakennus, summer holiday, travel 20140617 5D StDavids-6972 Stained glass window in St. Thomas Becket's chapel : 2014, Pembrokeshire, St. Davids, cathedral, katedraali, kesäloma, matka, religion, summer holiday, travel, uskonto St. David's Cathedral St Davids Cathedral font where generations have been baptised into the Christian life. The font itself may date back to the pre Norman bishops. The base is certainly 13th century. : 2014, Pembrokeshire, St. Davids, cathedral, katedraali, kesäloma, matka, religion, summer holiday, travel, uskonto
Blue pipes A splash of colour against the grey rock. : 2014, Pembrokeshire, St. Davids, cathedral, katedraali, kesäloma, matka, religion, summer holiday, travel, uskonto St Davids Bishops Palace St Davids Bishops Palace dates back to the 6th century, although the building that stands today dates largely from the late 13th and 14th centuries. The original monastery that stood on the site was established in the 6th century and, over the succeeding four centuries, was ransacked at least 10 times by Norse raiders. The arrival of the Normans in the 11th century brought some stability. St Davids became home of the Marcher Lords, responsible for guarding the border between England and Wales, so would have been a site of great strategic importance. It was also considered a hugely important religious site, housing relics of the St David, patron saint of Wales. The man responsible for much of the site that can be seen today was Bishop Henry de Gower (1328–47). He carried out major works in the cathedral itself, built the Great Hall with wheel window in the east gable, the distinctive arcaded parapet and the porch. Gower's main legacy is the two great ranges. The east range – the simpler of the two – was the first to be built. The much grander south range was built for entertaining. : 2014, Pembrokeshire, St. Davids, cathedral, katedraali, kesäloma, matka, religion, summer holiday, travel, uskonto St Davids Bishops Palace A panorama of the palace. : 2014, St. Davids, building, cathedral, historia, history, katedraali, kesäloma, matka, rakennus, summer holiday, travel St Davids Bishops Palace Great Hall Porch : 2014, Pembrokeshire, St. Davids, cathedral, katedraali, kesäloma, matka, religion, summer holiday, travel, uskonto
St Davids Bishops Palace Wheel window in the east gable of the Great Hall : 2014, Pembrokeshire, St. Davids, cathedral, katedraali, kesäloma, matka, religion, summer holiday, travel, uskonto St Davids Bishops Palace The Kitchen : 2014, Pembrokeshire, St. Davids, cathedral, katedraali, kesäloma, matka, religion, summer holiday, travel, uskonto St Davids Bishops Palace The Great Chapel : 2014, Pembrokeshire, St. Davids, cathedral, katedraali, kesäloma, matka, religion, summer holiday, travel, uskonto St Davids Bishops Palace The Great Chamber, which served as a sleeping quarters for important guests. The Great Hall, which served as a place for festives and entertainment. : 2014, Pembrokeshire, St. Davids, cathedral, katedraali, kesäloma, matka, religion, summer holiday, travel, uskonto
St Davids Bishops Palace Bishop's Hall in East Range, built by Bishop Gower for his personal use and lodging, although this hall was used for meeting visitors and his public work. : 2014, Pembrokeshire, St. Davids, cathedral, katedraali, kesäloma, matka, religion, summer holiday, travel, uskonto East Wing Bishop's only change to get some privacy was here, in his own chambers. This is where he slept and spent his time while alone or without official tasks. : 2014, Pembrokeshire, St. Davids, cathedral, katedraali, kesäloma, matka, religion, summer holiday, travel, uskonto St Davids Bishops Palace An old bridge : 2014, Pembrokeshire, St. Davids, cathedral, katedraali, kesäloma, matka, religion, summer holiday, travel, uskonto St Davids Bishops Palace Stairs : 2014, Pembrokeshire, St. Davids, cathedral, katedraali, kesäloma, matka, religion, summer holiday, travel, uskonto
The Dragon The oldest recorded use of the dragon to symbolise Wales is in the Historia Brittonum, written around AD 829, but it is popularly supposed to have been the battle standard of King Arthur and other ancient Celtic leaders. Its association with these leaders along with other evidence from archaeology, literature, and documentary history lead many to suppose that it evolved from an earlier Romano-British national symbol. : 2014, Aberystwyth, Dyfed, Wales, city, kaupunki, kesäloma, matka, summer holiday, travel Funicular terminus Lower station of the funicular, built in 1896. : 2014, Aberystwyth, Dyfed, Wales, city, kaupunki, kesäloma, matka, summer holiday, travel Aberystwyth cliff railway The Aberystwyth Cliff Railway was opened in 1896 at 237 m in length, it was the longest funicular railway in the British Isles at that time. Originally operated on a water balance system, it was electrified in 1921. The standard gauge 1,435 mm railway climbs 130 m in 237 m—a gradient steeper than 1:2 (50%). Its twin carriages, which both take 30 passengers, are named the Lord Geraint and the Lord Marks. : 2014, Aberystwyth, Dyfed, Wales, kesäloma, maisema, matka, scenery, summer holiday, travel Aberystwyth The town seen from Constitution Hill. There are approximately 16 000 inhabitants not including perhaps 10 000 students to add in this count. : 2014, Aberystwyth, Dyfed, Wales, city, kaupunki, kesäloma, matka, summer holiday, travel
Aberystwyth castle The castle ruins seen from the Constitution Hill. It was built during the First Welsh War in the late 13th century. Building work started in 1277. The inner ward was built in a diamond-shaped concentric castle, with a twin D-shaped gatehouse keep with mural towers at each corner. The outer ward consisted of twin D-shaped gatehouse, a barbican, a rock-cut ditch and a large curtain wall with towers. : 2014, Aberystwyth, Dyfed, Wales, city, kaupunki, kesäloma, matka, summer holiday, travel Aberystwyth castle Aberystwyth castle was built during the First Welsh War in the late 13th century. It was begun during Edward I's first Welsh campaign. : 2014, Aberystwyth, Dyfed, Wales, city, kaupunki, kesäloma, matka, summer holiday, travel Aberystwyth castle North tower gateway : 2014, Aberystwyth, Dyfed, Wales, city, kaupunki, kesäloma, matka, summer holiday, travel It's just a flesh wound Youngsters practising sword fight : 2014, Aberystwyth, Dyfed, Wales, city, kaupunki, kesäloma, matka, summer holiday, travel
Belle Vue Royal Hotel Located on Marine Terrace right next to the beach, it indeed offered belle vue, however, the royal part was somehow lost in translation or something... yes, we spent a night in this hotel. I learned that new owners are gradually renovating this hotel though, so it could become nicer eventually. : 2014, Aberystwyth, Dyfed, Wales, city, kaupunki, kesäloma, matka, summer holiday, travel Aberystwyth pier The Royal Pier, Aberystwyth is a pleasure pier. The first pier to open in Wales in 1865, after a series of storm attacks, it is now a much shortened version of its originally constructed length of 242 metres. On the night of Friday January 14, 1938, a storm with estimated wind speeds of up to 140 km/h struck the town. Most of the promenade was destroyed, along with 61 m of the pier, reducing its length by half. In 1979, Aberystwyth Royal Pier was purchased by the Don Leisure Group, and in 1986 they spent £250,000 on improvements to the remainder of the 91 metres pier. : 2014, Aberystwyth, Dyfed, Wales, city, kaupunki, kesäloma, matka, summer holiday, travel Central Hotel In 1909 it was rebuilt by Messers. David Roberts and Sons, Brewers. Edward Llewelyn was mayor of the town during a visit by the Prince of Wales to open the Assembly Rooms. When travelling with the Prince through Aberystwyth in a carriage, the Prince asked Llewelyn if they could visit the Hotel but Llewelyn declined because it was not in the programme. : 2014, Aberystwyth, Dyfed, Wales, city, kaupunki, kesäloma, matka, summer holiday, travel Old College This was originally going to be a large hotel, "The Castle Hotel", but it was never completed as a hotel but, following bankruptcy, was sold cheaply to the Welsh National University Committee, a group of people dedicated to the creation of a Welsh University. The University College of Wales (later to become Aberystwyth University) was founded in 1872 in this building. : 2014, Aberystwyth, Dyfed, Wales, city, kaupunki, kesäloma, matka, summer holiday, travel
Snake bench Snake-shaped supports on a bench located on the promenade. : 2014, Aberystwyth, Dyfed, Wales, city, kaupunki, kesäloma, matka, summer holiday, travel