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St Mary's Abbey

Heritage Site in Caernarfonshire

Wales

St Mary's Abbey

Landing on Bardsey There was a transfer to a smaller boat for the landing. The crossing was by a larger fast catamaran, similar to the one used for trips out of Crinan to Jura, Scarab etc. The boat is heading for the inlet of Cafn Enlli where there is a slip.
Landing on Bardsey Credit: Richard Webb

St Mary's Abbey, located in Caernarfonshire, Wales, is a significant heritage site with a rich history dating back to the 12th century. The abbey was founded in 1188 by the Cistercian monks and was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It served as a religious center and a place of worship for centuries.

The abbey's architecture is a fine example of the Cistercian style, characterized by simplicity and austerity. The structure was built using local stone, creating a harmonious blend with the surrounding natural landscape. The abbey features a cruciform layout with a central tower, transepts, and a nave. The carefully designed windows allow natural light to illuminate the interior, creating a serene and tranquil atmosphere.

Throughout its history, St Mary's Abbey played a pivotal role in the local community. The monks engaged in prayer, study, and manual labor, working the lands surrounding the abbey and providing for themselves and the nearby village. The abbey also served as a place of refuge for travelers and pilgrims.

However, the abbey's peaceful existence was disrupted during the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century. King Henry VIII ordered the dissolution, resulting in the abbey's closure in 1537. The buildings were then dismantled, and the materials were reused in the construction of nearby structures.

Today, St Mary's Abbey remains in ruins, serving as a testament to its former glory. The site attracts visitors from around the world who come to admire its architectural beauty and learn about its historical significance. The abbey stands as a reminder of the religious heritage and cultural heritage of Caernarfonshire.

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St Mary's Abbey Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.767/-4.78 or Grid Reference SH1222. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Landing on Bardsey There was a transfer to a smaller boat for the landing. The crossing was by a larger fast catamaran, similar to the one used for trips out of Crinan to Jura, Scarab etc. The boat is heading for the inlet of Cafn Enlli where there is a slip.
Landing on Bardsey
There was a transfer to a smaller boat for the landing. The crossing was by a larger fast catamaran, similar to the one used for trips out of Crinan to Jura, Scarab etc. The boat is heading for the inlet of Cafn Enlli where there is a slip.
View from Mynydd Enlli The mountain on Ynys Enlli / Bardsey with a view to the south of the island. The small inlet of Cafn Enlli is visible in front of the bigger bay on the left. This is where boats land or leave from.
View from Mynydd Enlli
The mountain on Ynys Enlli / Bardsey with a view to the south of the island. The small inlet of Cafn Enlli is visible in front of the bigger bay on the left. This is where boats land or leave from.
The misty isle The title might suggest the Isle of Skye, but this is Ynys Enlli [Bardsey] shrouded in sea mist on a warm September day.
The misty isle
The title might suggest the Isle of Skye, but this is Ynys Enlli [Bardsey] shrouded in sea mist on a warm September day.
Bardsey Island from Pen y Cil Bardsey Island is known as the Island of 20,000 saints whilst its Welsh name, Ynys Enlli, refers to it as the Island of Currents. The English name refers to bards or chieftains. Bardsey has a bird observatory, a lighthouse and was made a National Nature Reserve in 1986. In the midground the shallow rocky outcrop in the sea is Carreg Ddu or Black stone.
Bardsey Island from Pen y Cil
Bardsey Island is known as the Island of 20,000 saints whilst its Welsh name, Ynys Enlli, refers to it as the Island of Currents. The English name refers to bards or chieftains. Bardsey has a bird observatory, a lighthouse and was made a National Nature Reserve in 1986. In the midground the shallow rocky outcrop in the sea is Carreg Ddu or Black stone.
The main - and only - road on Bardsey Island
The main - and only - road on Bardsey Island
The Old School, Bardsey Island The School House was originally the 'old chapel' building for islanders until a more formal school was established in 1875 for the twelve students on the island at the time.
The Old School, Bardsey Island
The School House was originally the 'old chapel' building for islanders until a more formal school was established in 1875 for the twelve students on the island at the time.
Plas Bach, Ynys Enlli These buildings are now used to house the tourists who come to Bardsey Island on vacation
Plas Bach, Ynys Enlli
These buildings are now used to house the tourists who come to Bardsey Island on vacation
Bardsey Abbey The fragmentary remains of the thirteenth century Augustinian abbey who took over from the ancient Celtic foundation of the sixth century. Nearby a Celtic cross stands commemorating the now mostly Christian religious past and very numerous, 20,000, saints reputed to have been buried in or near the site.
Bardsey Abbey
The fragmentary remains of the thirteenth century Augustinian abbey who took over from the ancient Celtic foundation of the sixth century. Nearby a Celtic cross stands commemorating the now mostly Christian religious past and very numerous, 20,000, saints reputed to have been buried in or near the site.
On the slopes of Mynydd Enlli Looking north towards Bae'r Nant
On the slopes of Mynydd Enlli
Looking north towards Bae'r Nant
Bardsey Island Looking down on the hamlet from the slopes of Mynydd Enlli
Bardsey Island
Looking down on the hamlet from the slopes of Mynydd Enlli
Maen Bugail Maen Bugail is a small rock, which lies about 0.3 mile N of the N end of Bardsey Island. A heavy tide race extends nearly 0.5 mile N from this rock.
Maen Bugail
Maen Bugail is a small rock, which lies about 0.3 mile N of the N end of Bardsey Island. A heavy tide race extends nearly 0.5 mile N from this rock.
Bardsey Island Looking down on the main centre of the island from Mynydd Enlli
Bardsey Island
Looking down on the main centre of the island from Mynydd Enlli
Swnt Enlli - Bardsey Sound The area of the Irish Sea between the island and the mainland, from the mountaintop
Swnt Enlli - Bardsey Sound
The area of the Irish Sea between the island and the mainland, from the mountaintop
View east from the top of Bardsey Mountain
View east from the top of Bardsey Mountain
The steep eastern side of Bardsey Mountain
The steep eastern side of Bardsey Mountain
On top of Mynydd Enlli Over Bardsey Sound is the tip of the Lleyn Peninsula; the two peaks on the left are Mynydd Mawr and Mynydd Anelog.
On top of Mynydd Enlli
Over Bardsey Sound is the tip of the Lleyn Peninsula; the two peaks on the left are Mynydd Mawr and Mynydd Anelog.
Faint path along the ridge of Mynydd Enlli
Faint path along the ridge of Mynydd Enlli
Heading south on Bardsey Mountain The little promontory of Pen Diban ahead, with the lighthouse
Heading south on Bardsey Mountain
The little promontory of Pen Diban ahead, with the lighthouse
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St Mary's Abbey is located at Grid Ref: SH1222 (Lat: 52.767, Lng: -4.78)

Unitary Authority: Gwynedd

Police Authority: North Wales

What 3 Words

///shielding.head.purchaser. Near Nefyn, Gwynedd

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St Mary's Abbey Bae Bach Bae'r Nant

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 52.767,-4.78
Created By: dmgroom_coastlines
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 52.766285/-4.780417
OpenStreetMap
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Bae yr Nant
Natural: bay
Source: npe
Lat/Long: 52.7678661/-4.7861969
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Ogof Morlas
Natural: cave_entrance
Lat/Long: 52.7649034/-4.7800179
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Bae Felen
Natural: bay
Lat/Long: 52.7627988/-4.7802991
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Bae Bach
Natural: bay
Lat/Long: 52.7645776/-4.7795159
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Ogof Nant
Natural: cave_entrance
Lat/Long: 52.7666809/-4.7864199
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
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