St. Davids Cathedral
 Cathedrals |
St David's is Britian's smallest city by virtue of its great Norman cathedral, the most important ecclesiastical centre in South Wales. Were it not for the Cathedral it would have remained just another pretty village. Named after the patron saint of Wales, whose death on 1 st March is commemorated throughout the country, it is St David's Cathedral that gives the town city-status. The cathedral is located in a deep hollow below street level. This curious location means that from many parts of the city not even its mighty square tower can be seen above the rooftops.
The Cathedral was founded on the site of St David's 6 th century monastic settlement in the wooded Alum Valley. It was built in the 12 th century and contains many treasures, including bones found in a casket behind the High Altar inside the Bishop Vaughan chapel. The remains are believed to be that of St David himself and were discovered during 19 th century restoration work, having been bricked-up behind a wall. The light flowing in through the high windows contributes to the overall majesty of the interior. The floor rises sharply toward the most magnificent part of the cathedral, the intricately carved grey Irish oak ceiling crafted during the 15 th century. It is believed that Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, was born close to where the cathedral stands.
Since the medieval period St David's Cathedral has been an important Christian shrine. It was adjudged that two pilgrimages to St Davids were the equal of one to Rome, and three were worth one to Jerusalem. Successive monarchs from William the Conqueror to Queen Elizabeth II have worshipped here. The present queen, Elizabeth II, has a personal seat reserved for her in the cathedral and distributed Maundy Money, for the first time in Wales, from here.
The ruins of Bishop Gower's Palace are located next to the Cathedral. Built between 1280-1340, the ruin is now roofless though in the 14 th century the Palace would have been the opulent residence of the influential leaders of the medieval church. In the 16 th century Bishop Barlow (1536-48), St David's first Protestant bishop, is thought to have been responsible for removing lead from the roof to provide dowries for his five daughters, all of whom married bishops. During the summer months the palace grounds often hosts Shakespearean or historical productions.
St David is reputed to have been born during a terrible storm in the fields above St Non's Bay around AD520. The site, named after the saint's mother, is marked by the ancient ruins of St Non's Chapel, a very beautiful place overlooking the sea. Nearby is the holy well of St Non, whose waters are said to contain magical powers for healing eye diseases, much visited by pilgrims. David was a vegetarian, teetotaller and a celibate, and appeared too pure for the bawdy wife of the local Irish chieftain Boia. Legend has it that she tested the ascetic with a few pagan pleasures. She sent naked girls to frolic in a nearby river and make lewd suggestions to the monks on the far side. All succumbed except David who remained true to his calling.
In the tiny city of St Davids there are only a cluster of shops and restaurants around the main square, as well as a few hotels, pubs and chapels. Pretty craft shops attract visitors, as does the Marine Life Centre wherein are various species of marine life such as sea scorpions, octopus and sharks. The Oceanarium, in New Street, is the largest aquarium in St Davids, with a purpose-built large-scale seawater setting housed on two floors with an upstairs viewing gallery.
St Justinians is another beautiful coastal spot steeped in legend and close by St Davids where there is a medieval chapel. Justinian was a 6 th century hermit who retreated across to Ramsey Island, lying a short distance offshore, in order to devote himself to God. Justinian proved a severe disciplinarian, too strict even for his own followers who eventually rebelled and decapitated him. He is then said to have picked-up his severed head and, undaunted, walked across the waters of Ramsey Sound to the mainland. Ramsey is a Norse name, as are those of the other islands nearby Skomar and Skokholm. This is a legacy of the early medieval period when this stretch of coast was repeatedly attacked by Viking raiders. Ramsey Island Cruises allow visitors to observe at close hand the largest breeding colony of Atlantic Grey Seals on the Welsh coastline. Porpoises and Leatherback Turtles can sometimes be seen and there are also many rare and common species of bird to be found on the island.
For further information see - http://www.stdavids.co.uk/