The most beautiful religious buildings Denbighshire (Sir Ddinbych)

The church of Llanrhaeadr is a church that should not be missed. It's a real gem hidden in this little hamlet. There are multicoloured stained glass windows, including those in the wing, the famous "Jesse Windows", which tell the story of Jesus' lineage through Jesse, David's father. Then, a little further on, we see the Virgin and Child, surrounded by twenty-one of their ancestors, whose names are inscribed on the sides in Latin, who illuminate with a thousand lights the interior of the church dated 1533. Don't hesitate to walk around, either.

Begun in the ^13th century, the Anglican cathedral of St. Asaph(Eglwys Gadeiriol Llanelwy in Welsh)as we see it today was built, for the most part, between 1284 and 1392. The reconstruction of the building was partly financed by donations from pilgrims who came in great numbers to worship at this popular site, whose origins are not well known. Stained-glass windows in the north wing illustrate the legend written by the monk Jocelyn, the only "explanation" of the origins of this ^12th-century shrine. Depicted are Saint Kentigern, whose miracle was to discover a gold ring lost by the queen in a salmon he caught, and Saint Asaph. The latter's miracle is said to have been to carry hot iron in his cloak at St. Kentigern's behest, for want of any other means: neither the cloak nor his skin burned.

Literature and legends have always accompanied the history of this church, whose bishops were also eminent men of letters. In 1152, Geoffrey de Monmouth, author of theHistory of the Kings of England, an important work of medieval literature and a benchmark of classical British literature, became bishop of this diocese, followed by William Morgan, translator of the Bible into Welsh! In fact, it was Geoffrey of Monmouth (1100-1154) who gave King Arthur a prominent place in his main work. It was from this point onwards that the character's appeal to European literature and culture began.

"La Vallée de la Croix" is a deliciously peaceful place, where meditation is a must. This Cistercian abbey is much better preserved than its twin Strata Florida. The Cistercian monks who sought isolation settled in this green and secluded countryside at the foot of the steep mountains of Llangollen. When you pass through the still valiant doors of the abbey, it is a journey through time. Here we are in the austere daily life of these disciples of God. Many of the architectural ornaments have survived the centuries.

The origin of the town's name, this church was erected in honor of St. Collen, an Irish warrior and religious figure of the ^7th century. The most interesting feature is the ^15th-century ceiling: an oak framework, finely carved with angels and Celtic motifs, which is thought to have come from Valle Crucis Abbey in the village of Llantysilio. The adjacent cemetery is well worth a visit: it contains the graves of the two ladies of Llangollen. For the record, Collen means hazel tree.