Eliseg's Pillar

Heritage Site in Denbighshire

Wales

Eliseg's Pillar

Llangollen Canal - the end Between the Bridge Hotel and the Horseshoe Falls, the canal terminates at this point. — Llangollen Canal - the end Credit: Trevor Harris

Eliseg's Pillar is an ancient monument located in Denbighshire, Wales. It stands on a hilltop near the village of Llandegla and is considered a significant historical and archaeological site. The pillar is made of stone and stands at a height of approximately 9 feet.

The pillar is believed to have been erected in the 9th century by King Cyngen of Powys as a memorial to his great-grandfather, Eliseg. The inscriptions on the pillar are now weathered and barely legible, but it is thought that they once contained information about Eliseg's lineage and achievements.

The site was rediscovered in the late 18th century when the pillar was partially unearthed during agricultural work. Since then, efforts have been made to preserve and protect the monument. In the 19th century, a protective stone cairn was constructed over the pillar to shield it from the elements.

Visitors to Eliseg's Pillar can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside from the hilltop where the monument stands. The site also offers a glimpse into the rich history of Wales and its ancient kingdoms.

Eliseg's Pillar has become a popular destination for history enthusiasts, archaeologists, and tourists alike. Its enigmatic inscriptions and its connection to Welsh royalty make it an intriguing and culturally significant heritage site in Denbighshire.

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Eliseg's Pillar Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.992/-3.185 or Grid Reference SJ2044. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Llangollen Canal - the end

Between the Bridge Hotel and the Horseshoe Falls, the canal terminates at this point.

Trevor Harris

The Chain Bridge

There has been a crossing point over the River Dee at Berwyn as far back as Roman times, later serving the Cistercian monks of the nearby Valle Crucis Abbey. At the beginning of the 19th century plans were made to build the first bridge in this most beautiful of locations. Exuperius Pickering was a local entrepreneur dealing in limestone and slate. He had been involved in the building of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and had got to know Thomas Telford well. Telford had been given the work of building the now A5 from London to Holyhead following the latter being chosen as the main port between Britain and Ireland. The existing road was already a major coaching route but its condition was no better than a dirt track in many places. Pickering was quick to see the trading opportunity as the route of the new road would travel close to his works in Berwyn. In conjunction with Telford, the first Llangollen Chain Bridge was duly completed in 1814, the year before work started on the new road. This was made of wood, with chains slung underneath. It survived until 1870 before needing a complete refurbishment by another famous engineer Sir Henry Robinson, owner of the Brymbo Iron Works. Archive Link

The bridge fell into disrepair SJ1943 : The Chain Bridge but thankfully, the adjacent Chain Bridge hotel has had new owners in recent years and they have now repaired the bridge as seen here.

Eirian Evans

Two bridges from a third bridge

The lower bridge (King's Bridge) carries the B5103 over the River Dee to join the A5 near Berwyn Railway Station. The higher bridge is a viaduct crossing a tributary which joins the River Dee and carrying the steam railway between Llangollen and Carrog. The photo was taken from the Chain Bridge SJ1943 : The Chain Bridge, a footbridge crossing the river from the Chain Bridge Hotel to Berwyn Station.

Eirian Evans

Horseshoe Falls, Berwyn near Llangollen

Colin Park

Farmland at Maesyrychen uchaf as seen from Dee Valley Way, west of Llangollen

Colin Park

Llantysilio - St Tysilio's Church

Colin Park

Bathers at Horseshoe Falls, Berwyn near Llangollen

Colin Park

Berwyn Station on the Llangollen Railway

Berwyn Station from the A5 going towards Llangollen.

Bob Walters

The A5 at Berwyn

Roy Hughes

Parkland above the Horsehoe Falls in Berwyn

Gareth James

Horseshoe Falls at Berwyn

Gareth James

Canoeing on the Llangollen Canal in Berwyn

Gareth James

Footbridge over the Llangollen Canal in Berwyn

Gareth James

View along the chainbridge at Berwyn

Gareth James

Llangollen Railway at River Dee at Berwyn

Class 26 No. 5310 approaches Berwyn station during the Llangollen Railway's diesel gala. It is working a ballast train, but with a carriage included to provide passenger-accommodation.

Gareth James

Derelict building beside the A5 in Berwyn

It is not clear what this building once was. Old maps of the area show a Methodist chapel near this site, but this building doesn't look like a typical chapel.

Gareth James