Editor Pick
St. David's Cathedral
- January 24, 2005
- Rated 5 of 5 by
aliante1981 from Dubna, Russia
The story starts in the 6th century, when St. David, who later became the patron saint of Wales, was born nearby. When he decided to establish a monastery, this remote region was, understandably, his first choice. So it was that a church was founded where now stands the cathedral. As St. David became a saint, his resting place naturally became an issue, and his relics were buried in a special casket at the church—a casket that's still there.
The site has never managed to remain the same. The present-day cathedral was built on the site of the church in the late 12th century, but the Scandinavian pirates ransacked the place scores of times. And each time, it was rebuilt with slightly different details and additions. Instead of today's tourists, there were pilgrims, since two religious walks to the site of St. David's burial were considered equivalent to one to Rome, and three visits were an acceptable substitute for a pilgrimage to Jerusalem itself.
St. David's cathedral still plays a significant part in the city's life. Indeed, as I have already mentioned in the overview section, it's the cathedral that gives St. David's the right to be called a city, when in reality, it's nothing more than a village. It is not only the city's major tourist draw card but also a cultural highlight—the annual music festival that takes place late in May centers around the cathedral.
When you enter the cathedral, your eye may struggle to find a straight line; the pillars are leaning like a score of Towers of Pisa because of a 13th-century earthquake, and the floor slopes upwards. However, this does not spoil the overall impression. Particular items to see include the shrine of St. David's, with a dove on his right shoulder (doing justice to a sacred text—according to it, a dove, symbol of Holy Spirit, landed on his shoulder as he preached to the clergy). In the northern aisle is a ceiling beautifully decorated with carved oak, of which I personally can view immense quantities.
In order to gain admission, you are requested to offer a donation of several pounds, but the cathedral is more than worth the cost. Note that you have to pay a separate fee if you intend to take photos. You can attend services (8am and 6pm) and concerts of classical music, but for the latter, you'll have to check the times with the tourist information office.
From journal The Smallest City in Britain