Saint Davids Things to Do Tips by Balam

Cathedral Gateway

The Cathedral and it's associated building were protected by a great wall with fortifications, The gateway that led to the village is a great example of how these fortifications would have looked.

Cross Square

In the Centre of St Davids is Cross Square where there is a large cross up some steps which makes a nice view point for the city.
The square is the heart of the City which is really only the size of a Village. It was granted city status by Queen Elisabeth II in 1995 because of the presence of its great Cathedral

The Bishops Palace

The Bishops Palace is situated within the walled perimeter of the cathedral precincts.
The surviving buildings date from the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries and were the work of Bishop Thomas Bek (1280-93) and Bishop Henry de Gower (1328-47).
The Vaulted under crofts are spectacular as is the arcaded parapet which is one of the glories of the site and has been much copied in various castles like Swansea.

Adult -£3.00, concession - £2.60, family - £8.60
Entry is free for Welsh residents aged 60 and over or 16 and under who have a valid pass. Or for members of CADW

Opening Times:
01.04.09 - 31.10.09: Daily 9.00 - 17.00

01.11.09 - 31.03.10: Monday - Saturday 9.30 - 16.00, Sunday 11.00 - 16.00

The Cathedral

Around 589 to 601 AD St David died but had founded a monastery on the site of the cathedral, between 645-1097 St. Davids was attacked and destroyed many times with Vikings killing Bishop Morgenau in 999 and Bishop Abraham in 1080
After the Norman invasion of 1066 William the conqueror visited St. Davids to pray but in 1089 Davids shrine was vandalized and stripped of its precious metals
By 1123 St Davids had received a "privilege" from Pope Calixtus II after he had officially recognized David as a Saint in 1120, and St Davids became a centre for pilgrimage. In 1131 Bishop Bernard dedicated a new Cathedral but the Present Cathedral was not begun until 1181 but it was not easy going as in 1220 the New Tower collapsed and in 1247/1248 the building was damaged by an earthquake.
Over the years the building has of course been added to and surrounding buildings have been constructed, the most famous of these would be the Bishops palace which was constructed in 1328 - 1347 and St Marys College in 1365
In the 16th C the Holy Trinity Chapel was built (1509-22) and the Nave roof and ceiling was constructed in 1530-40 and in 1540 Edmund Tudor's tomb was placed in front of the high altar.

Much restoration has been done over the years and in 1793 the West Front rebuilt by Nash
Sir George Gilbert Scott restored the building in 1862-77 and in 1901 the Lady Chapel restored followed by the remaining eastern chapels

New Cloisters were built between 2004 and 2007 along with a fantastic new restaurant
There is no fee to enter the cathedral (but of course donations are appreciated) but if you want to take pictures inside there is a £1.50 fee (which you have to pay at the shop)

Address: The Close, St Davids, Pembrokeshire SA62 6RH

Other Contact: info@stdavidscathedral.org.uk

Phone: 01437 720199

Website: http://www.stdavidscathedral.org.uk