Remotely situated near the western extremity of
Wales, where the land stretches out to the Irish sea; and where a narrow
river runs through a valley: is Dewisland, the land of David.
As into the sea all rivers go, and yet the sea is never filled, and
still to their goal the rivers go, so too do pilgrims journey to St.
David’s and to the cathedral dedicated to his name.
St David’s Cathedral equals any in the British
Isles for beauty and interest, and is rivaled by only a very few. Its
situation is unique: visitors, unless forewarned, would not know that it
was there. They come first to the winding streets of St David’s City,
which is little more than a small town. Then, as they pass through an
old gateway, there is spread before them a valley and a scene of vast
medieval splendor: a cathedral built from the local purple-colored Caer
Bwdy stone, harmonizing with the windswept natural surroundings. To the
north lie the ruins of St Mary’s College, and to the west, across the
little River Alun, are the magnificent ruins of the Bishop’s Palace.
Text by Brendan O'Malley from the Land of
David
Copyright 1999 by Brendan O'Malley, All Rights Reserved.
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