Things to see and do St. David’s (Tyddewi)

The first view of the cathedral is impressive. It is surrounded by a large park covered with funerary stelae and one can immediately see its cruciform structure at the intersection of which rises the large square tower, with its clock and pinnacles.

For more than a century, this site was a central place of pilgrimage and the majestic ensemble still exerts its aura... However, it all begins with the mystical solitude of Saint David, who led a life here withdrawn from the world, totally devoted to the Spirit... The holy man, who ate bread and herbs and dipped his body in ice-cold water to numb his ardour, influenced the Irish Church through his asceticism! It was during the reign of Henry I that the place took a more administrative and official turn, when it was decided that St David would be at the centre of the diocese. It is possible that the location was also chosen for reasons of political strategy, given its proximity to Ireland. Construction of the cathedral began in 1131, and it was also from this time that it became an important religious centre in Europe. In the 14th century, during the reign of Bishop Henry of Gower, the architecture took on the appearance it has today. Until his death in 1347, he oversaw major works in the cathedral, which he envisioned as his future tomb, and also built the wall separating it from the houses of the village. The present official entrance to the site is the only original of the four gates of the enclosure.

At the time, it was said that two trips to St. David's was worth a pilgrimage to Rome. Thousands of people came here, making St. David's a major pilgrimage centre in the country. The architectural ambitions of the Bishop of Gower were high and made the complex a model of medieval refinement. Between 1328 and 1347 he transformed this old building for servants and animals into a huge palace. Built behind the cathedral between the 13th and 14th centuries, this imposing palace was once reserved for the nobility and the clergy. It shows the importance of this stage on the road to Compostela. Now in ruins, it is still impressive. The palace is built around the central garden. The east was devoted to the private spaces of the bishop, with his bedroom, small reception room and kitchens at the end, articulating the apartments with the south wing, rather devoted to the public spaces of reception. The room next to the lobby was probably used to house important visitors to St. David's. The western part probably served as a dormitory, where lesser visitors were housed. Numerous architectural details appear during the visit, which bear witness to the building's past splendour: finely decorated windows and arches, corbels sculpted in the shape of a face or animal, decoration of the arcades... Now in ruins, it remains, nevertheless, an impressive monument.

Since 2002, Voyages of Discovery has been offering sea trips to discover caves, seal watching and migratory bird watching around Ramsey Island. Aboard the Viking Challenger, you can try out the trips to Grassholme, where dolphins and whales can sometimes be spotted. Grassholme is also a wonderful trip for birdwatchers, with a large colony of gannets. You can also see shearwaters, another type of marine animal.

You can also leave the city centre and explore WhitesandsBay (Porth Mawr in Welsh). It is ideal for swimming, and is also the starting point for splendid walks along the coast. Detailed itineraries can be found at St. David's Tourist Centre.

Archaeological sites and Celtic shrines along the way recall the passage of Irish settlers along the coast. There are remains of the chapel of St. Patrick, who went to preach the divine word on the Green Island; the Warrior's Dyke, a defensive rampart dating from the Iron Age (750 BC to 100 AD); the Coetan Arthur, a Neolithic burial chamber and two other cromlechs at the top of Carn Llidi, at an altitude of 181 metres. From the volcanic promontory of St. David's Head, there are superb views of Ramsey Island.