St. David's Cathedral

St. David's Cathedral Review

You must climb down 39 steps (called locally the Thirty-Nine Articles) to enter the cathedral. Its location helped protect the church from Viking raiders by hiding it from the view of invaders who came by sea. Originally founded by St. David himself in around 600 AD, the current building dates from the 12th century, although it has been added to at various times since. Start at the Gatehouse, with its exhibition on the history of the cathedral. Inside the building itself, the 15th-century choir stalls still have original medieval floor tiles, while the Holy Trinity Chapel contains an intricate fan-vaulted ceiling and a casket said to contain the patron saint's bones. Don't miss the Treasury and its illuminated gospels, silver chalices, and 700-year-old golden bishop's crosier. In August, guided tours costing £4 begin Monday at 11:30 and Friday at 2:30, and on other days by arrangement. The cathedral has a good café.

Bishop's Palace. At the rear of the grounds of St. David's Cathedral are the ruins of the 13th-century Bishop's Palace, particularly beautiful at dusk. The Close, SA62 6RH. 01437/720517. www.cadw.wales.gov.uk. £3.20. Mar.-June, Sept., and Oct., daily 9:30-5; Jul. and Aug., daily 9:30- 6; Nov.-Feb., Mon.-Sat. 10-4, Sun. 11-4; last admission 30 min before closing.