St David's and St David's Cathedral
St Davids, Pembrokeshire, SA62 6SA
Category: Places to visit, Pembrokeshire
This miniature city (it’s actually a village but has city status because of its cathedral) is situated at the very western point of Wales on a rugged peninsula and is the spiritual centre of Wales. Its fame comes from the religious order that St David formed here in the 6th century, and in 1176 the magnificent St David’s Cathedral was completed. The cathedral contains several treasures including some saintly bones which are said to be those of Saint Caradog. The highlight of the interior is the oak roof featuring beautifully intricate wood carvings by 15th-century craftsmen. Countless monarchs from William the Conqueror to Queen Elizabeth II have worshipped here. In fact, the Queen even has a seat reserved for her. Next to the cathedral lie the ruins of St David's Bishop’s Palace. It’s still pretty impressive, giving an idea of the wealth and influence that the church had in Medieval times. In 2002, St David's hosted the National Eisteddfod, where the Archbishop-designate of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, was inducted into the Gorsedd of Bards, a historic order of Druids. The ceremony was held in a circle of standing stones fashioned from Pembrokeshire rock.
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