St Davids Cathedral

National shrine of St David and one of Wales’s foremost Christian pilgrimage destinations. The site is in St Davids, Pembrokeshire, Wales. The present cathedral was begun in 1181 on the site associated with the early monastery of St David.

The restored shrine was dedicated in 2012. St Davids developed around the early Christian community associated with Dewi Sant, or St David, patron saint of Wales. The present cathedral was begun in 1181.

A restored shrine of St David was dedicated in 2012 and remains a focus for prayer and pilgrimage. Cathedral tradition also preserves the medieval saying that journeys to St Davids carried exceptional spiritual merit. Accounts such as the hill rising beneath David while preaching belong to saintly tradition rather than independently proven history.

Medieval tradition held that pilgrimage to St Davids carried exceptional spiritual merit, sometimes expressed in the saying that two journeys to St Davids equalled one to Rome. Architecturally, the site is associated with Norman and Gothic. The site continues to function religiously as well as historically.

Visitors should expect worship and community use to take priority over sightseeing, and should consult the official website for current opening arrangements, service times and any access restrictions.